Arriving here early for the Georgia-Ole Miss game, there was a flashback to the days of Archie Manning, when the team was known as the Rebels and Johnny Vaught was the coach.

    Ole Miss played a few of its games in Jackson, which suited the politicians who were so enamored with the state university, it was not uncommon for the governor to call the coach and request seats on the plane and hotel accommodation for a road game. That would be business as usual in that era.

    Sometime over the weekend if I take a walk down University Avenue, I may find Archie and his beauty queen wife, Olivia, sitting in rocking chairs on the front porch of their townhouse chatting with passersby.

    In many ways, Archie is still the big red-headed kid from Drew, Mississippi, same as he was in the late ’60s when he ran the sprint draw to perfection, winning big games for Ole Miss and being himself to the fullest, the perfect image of the All-American boy—outstanding student-athlete, with extraordinary quarterbacking skills and a gentleman.

    He honored discipline in his life just like he did on the playing field where he earned All-America honors and set a bushel of records, some of which still stand. He was blessed with common sense, a sense of humor and a penchant for goodwill and a bent for charity.

    Both he and Olivia have lent their name and energy to countless causes for Ole Miss and for the New Orleans community. Archie was a good teammate at Ole Miss and he is a model citizen in New Orleans today.

    He is good to his friends, and is he ever loyal to Ole Miss? When his alma mater needs him, he’s on standby. He wants nothing in return for his time and efforts.

    Archie has enjoyed the most inter-connected and influential life. His cell phone is linked with hundreds of friends and associates in sports and business.

    Spending a casual week in Oxford is always a highlight of his annual agenda. Like everybody else, he enjoys dining with his chef-owner friend, John Currence, at City Grocery, one of the best-known places to eat in this country. Beyond his kitchen expertise, the colorful Currence is a versatile and accomplished businessman who is also a delightful raconteur.

    In addition to City Grocery, Currence owns three other restaurants in Oxford: Big Bad Breakfast, Bouré and Snackbar.

    The Oxford scene is one of the most delightful in college football. The Grove gets the highest marks from tailgaters who visit the campus. You go to Oxford, you want to experience all that is available from touring Rowan Oak, the home of the celebrated author, William Faulkner to walking the campus, visiting the University Museum and browsing the Midtown Farmer’s Market.

    You want to shop for a book at Square Books, and if you have the assets you might want to go birddog shopping at Wildrose Kennels, 12 miles outside of Oxford.

    Wright Thompson, senior writer for ESPN, lives here, and you might bump into him at one of the previously mentioned restaurant addresses. If you haven’t been introduced to his latest book, “The Barn,” make that happen.

    It chronicles and analyzes the murder of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old kid from Chicago. You lament the grudging hate that is the basis of the story, which is all too familiar to Southerners, but you will become spellbound by Wright’s indefatigable research and insightful writing.

    There’s a Georgia boy who lives here and has become part of the literary fabric, John T. Edge who grew up in Clinton in Jones County is a food writer and critic. He hosts the show “True South” which airs on the SEC network. His by-line has appeared in Garden and Gun, the New York Times and the Oxford American among others.

    When you come to Oxford without following a football team, you will, nonetheless, be charmed, uplifted and literary motivated. Remember to observe the campus speed limit which is 18 mph. That was Archie’s jersey number at Ole Miss.