Eli Manning owns a pair of Super Bowl rings, and during the final week of fall camp created a life-changing moment for a member of the Penn State Football team. 

In a video released by the Nittany Lions, Manning is seen giving a pep talk to the team, after being introduced by Penn State Football head coach James Franklin, but that’s where the surprise took a life-altering turn for one player. 

Manning announced that walk-on punter Barney Amor was now officially on scholarship:

The moment when @EliManning puts you on full scholarship >>>>>>> pic.twitter.com/IHykGg94Sa

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) August 25, 2022

<< BUY PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS GEAR >>

“Walk-ons are important, right? You got to have them,” Manning said to the team that was huddled on the practice field. “But it’s pretty damn cool when you’re on scholarship.”

Manning hosts the ESPN+ series “Eli’s Places” where he visits campuses across the country and historic college football sites to get a flavor for the town and its connection to the sport. It will be interesting to see if Penn State Football, and Happy Valley, are featured on an upcoming episode of the series, following his visit to the team. 

Armor’s elevation to a scholarship athlete doesn’t just have life-altering consequences for the Colgate transfer, but just might put him on the field when Penn State Football opens up the regular season on Sept. 1 at Purdue. 

Prior to arriving at Penn state Football, Amor earned Phil Steele All-Patriot League second team honors, back in 2019. 

At the very least, Franklin having Manning on campus to address the team and to award Armor his scholarship has to be a significant team bonding moment for the roster, ahead of the 2022 campaign. 

READ NEXT: Why Penn State Football will beat Purdue Week 1

A note to our readers; If you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may receive a commission