Eli Manning Penn State

The former Giants quarterback went undercover to a Nittany Lions walk-on clinic, with hilarious results.

He also delivered a terrific one-liner in regard to one of his biggest rivals. [Eli Manning](https://www.si.com/nfl/player/eli-manning) has had some fun in retired life, from doing the Monday Night Football [“Manning Cast” with brother Peyton](https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2022/09/13/eli-manning-lands-another-zinger-on-brother-peyton-during-manningcast) to broadcasting “Eli’s Places” on ESPN+. On one of the latest episodes of “Eli’s Places, the former [Giants](https://www.si.com/nfl/team/new-york-giants) quarterback went undercover at a [Penn State](https://www.si.com/college/college-football/team/penn-state-nittany-lions) football walk-on tryout.

Eli Manning tried out to play quarterback for the Penn State Nittany Lions as part of his ESPN+ series Eli's Places.

And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Worth a watch, especially for Penn State fans fizzing at the team's 3-0 start and big win at Auburn. [First Look: Penn State vs. "Never played ball," Manning/Powers tells Penn State offensive analyst Danny O'Brien while showing off a still-impressive arm. Central Michigan](https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/first-look-penn-state-vs-central-michigan-at-beaver-stadium) [Nicholas Singleton is setting a spectacular early pace](https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/penn-states-nicholas-singleton-is-off-to-the-programs-best-start-since-2002) [Why James Franklin isn't eager to make another road trip to the SEC](https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/penn-state-coach-james-franklin-isnt-keen-on-returning-to-the-sec) [Penn State makes a big leap in the Week 4 polls](https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/penn-state-makes-big-jump-in-the-week-3-college-football-polls) [The Penn State-Auburn report card](https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/the-penn-state-auburn-report-card-following-the-lions-41-12-victory) [Game breakdown: Penn State's defense throttles Auburn 41-12](https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/penn-state-vs-auburn-football-game-breakdown) [Penn State proposes expanding alcohol sales at Beaver Stadium](https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/penn-state-trustees-to-address-expanded-beer-sales-at-beaver-stadium)

Eli Manning went undercover for a "try out" at Penn State -- dressing up as "Chad Powers," and throwing the football all over the field.

[Eli Manning](https://www.tmz.com/people/eli-manning/) was back in a pair of cleats and tossin' around a pigskin on the gridiron this month -- but he didn't do it as Eli ... [James Franklin](https://www.tmz.com/people/james-franklin/) and decided to get in on a "try out" -- but making sure he caked on the makeup and donned a wig so he wouldn't be recognized. Manning called his alter ego "Chad Powers" -- and when he took the field, he stayed in character the entire time. [Peyton](https://www.tmz.com/people/peyton-manning/) & Eli's [Omaha Productions](https://omahaproductions.com/) on [ESPN+](https://plus.espn.com/#exclusives)), where the former New York Giants star wanted to get the full walk-on experience at Penn State. Manning went undercover as part of the latest episode of "Eli's Places" (produced by rather, he did it as "Chad Powers," and it was HILARIOUS.

Eli Manning impressed some members of Penn State's football staff while disguised as a walk-on player trying out for the Nittany Lions.

It was so good, one of the football staff members said to another he thinks he sees something in Chad Powers! Manning discussed the walk-on process at Penn State with head coach James Franklin when he got the idea that he should give it a try. But it seems Manning had a few other tricks up his sleeve when he was in Happy Valley.

Eli Manning pulled some antics while visiting Penn State on 'Eli's Places' as he attempted to walk-on for the Nittany Lions as 'Chad Powers'.

Willie McGinest, a member of Club 55, decided to teach him the ropes. [Eli Manning](https://www.on3.com/db/eli-manning-40962/) had an overall phenomenal four-year college football career at [Ole Miss](https://www.on3.com/teams/ole-miss-rebels/). 1 pick in the [2004 NFL Draft](https://www.on3.com/nfl/draft/2004/). After learning about the process, Manning decided he needed to go through it himself under the alias ‘Chad Powers’. However, Franklin won’t have to think too long on his decision to keep ‘Powers’ around or not after what was a very comical high jink from the two-time Super Bowl MVP. After a few years of retirement following an incredible 16-year [NFL](https://www.on3.com/category/pros/news/) career, though, Manning has returned to the college football field in a way few would ever expect to see.

The two-time Super Bowl champion wore a disguise and even fooled one of the team's offensive analysts.

“I did some background check and one of the guys you’re competing with has kind of been disqualified,” Franklin said, addressing the roster hopefuls. “I wanna sign the Chad Powers guy,” O’Brien said. It was a heartwarming story, but given Manning’s complete lack of connection to any Penn State sport, it was mildly out of left field. But on top of that, he’s ineligible.” “Chad Powers may not have made the team, but he learned a lot,” Manning said. Wearing a Hollywood disguise, Manning assumed the identity of “Chad Powers” — a part-time substitute teacher, part-time carpenter, and full-time fan of Penn State football.

Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning went undercover to try out for the Penn State football team.

In the end, Coach James Franklin revealed Manning to the other prospects and said "Chad Powers" failed to make the team. Manning donned a long-haired wig, a mustache and prosthetics to play the part of "Chad Powers," a homeschooled freshman trying out to be a Nittany Lion. PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning went undercover to try out for the Penn State football team.

Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning goes undercover as Chad Powers to try out as a walk-on at Penn State University.

Please consider supporting us with a subscription. The two are one in the same as the former [New York Giants](https://www.nj.com/giants/) quarterback goes undercover with the alias “Chad Powers” in a new, hilarious video where he tires to walk on at [ Penn State](https://gopsusports.com/sports/football). Powers then gets up in front of the group to reveal himself as Eli Manning. [Danny O’Brien](https://3downnation.com/2022/09/19/former-cfl-quarterback-danny-obrien-gets-punkd-by-eli-manning-in-viral-video/) asks Powers what team he last played on, he responds: “I was homeschooled. So I never played ball. [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na2hOcx4uX8&t=96s). Pickup ball. People at the tryout are perplexed when Powers walks in. [See the best NJ Sports Betting sites](https://www.nj.com/betting/nfl/football-betting-sites.html) His look is complete with a shaggy haircut and costume makeup to disguise him. [STUBHUB](https://fave.co/34tCEu3), [VIVID SEATS](https://fave.co/3PhaEAc), [TICKETSMARTER](https://fave.co/34x1SaR), [TICKETMASTER](https://fave.co/3l18G9d) [ Eli Manning](https://www.nj.com/giants/2022/09/texas-commit-arch-manning-nephew-of-giants-eli-manning-shows-why-hes-a-5-star-recruit.html).

Two-time Super Bowl winner Eli Manning is retired, but that didnt stop him from trying out for the Nittany Lions under the name of Chad Powers.

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Eli Manning went undercover at the Nittany Lions walk-on tryouts as Chad Powers for his ESPN+ show Eli's Places. Head coach James Franklin was in on the ...

Manning donned a mustache and a wig of long blonde hair in disguise for his show “Eli’s Places” on ESPN+. Manning remarked on how similar the look of his disguise and a youthful photo of his father looked: Retired New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning went undercover as “Chad Powers” in a faux attempt to try out for quarterback for the Nittany Lions.

It's incredible to see just how delightful Eli Manning is since walking away from football. We always knew both he and Peyton had the chops for comedy, ...

I go by Chad Powers— Eli Manning (@EliManning) Easily the best part is when Eli, sorry “Chad” puts the ball in his hands for passing drills. On Monday ESPN released a teaser for Eli’s Places, a college football show on ESPN Plus.

Two-time Super Bowl winner Eli Manning is retired, but that didn't stop him from trying out for the Nittany Lions under the name of Chad Powers.

[San Diego Chargers](https://www.nbclosangeles.com/tag/los-angeles-chargers) with the No. He then spent his full 16-year NFL with the [New York Giants](https://nbcnewyork.com/tag/new-york-giants), collecting two Super Bowl MVP trophies and making four Pro Bowls along the way. Fast Chad,” Powers said prior to his 40. When it came to actual football, Powers said he was rather inexperienced. “Chad’s gonna run. His tryout was shown on an episode of ESPN’s “Eli Places,” and it featured plenty of hilarious moments.

Penn State coach James Franklin says he was thrilled to host Eli Manning for his quarterback tryout as Chad Powers.

[How to watch Eli Manning's secret Penn State tryout](https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/how-to-watch-eli-mannings-secret-penn-state-football-tryout) [James Franklin pitches new athlete dorms at Penn State](https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/james-franklin-pitches-new-athlete-dorms-at-penn-state) [Penn State is a 'dangerous team,' Fox Sports' Joel Klatt says](https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/foxs-joel-klatt-penn-state-is-a-dangerous-team-after-win-at-auburn) [First Look: Penn State vs. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network. Wearing a blond wig and rubber chin, Manning auditioned for Franklin under the alias Chad Powers, creating what has become a college football micro-sensation and the most popular fictional Penn State player since [Hingle McCringleberry](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPjV4R6Kumc). Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Here's the segment with Manning's tryout as Chad Powers. In addition, Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford has been a counselor for several summers at the Manning Passing Academy, which also helped, Franklin said. Franklin gave up about 10 minutes for his part of the bit and loved the finished product. So once I was comfortable with the fact we were going to be able to do that, and it not impact our normal routine or become a distraction, then we were all about it." Central Michigan](https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/first-look-penn-state-vs-central-michigan-at-beaver-stadium) [Nicholas Singleton is setting a spectacular early pace](https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/penn-states-nicholas-singleton-is-off-to-the-programs-best-start-since-2002) [Why James Franklin isn't eager to make another road trip to the SEC](https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/penn-state-coach-james-franklin-isnt-keen-on-returning-to-the-sec) [Penn State makes a big leap in the Week 4 polls](https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/penn-state-makes-big-jump-in-the-week-3-college-football-polls) [Penn State proposes expanding alcohol sales at Beaver Stadium](https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/penn-state-trustees-to-address-expanded-beer-sales-at-beaver-stadium) Really, they were able to do 99 percent of it kind of without messing up our normal routine. I think I had to give them 10 minutes of my time, which took time away from either lunch or my walk, which was good. ["Eli's Places" ESPN+ show](https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/how-to-watch-eli-mannings-secret-penn-state-football-tryout) to [Penn State](https://www.si.com/college/college-football/team/penn-state-nittany-lions) in August for a love letter to walk-ons and a surprise tryout at quarterback.