Longhorns Country

Cooper Manning Rumored to Be Responsible For Texas Flags Flying at Michigan Hotel

NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning was asked about his brother Cooper's involvement with flying Texas flags outside of The Graduate Hotel in Ann Arbor.

Emma Hutchinson

Peyton Manning was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Sunday, August 8, 2021. Manning was presented by father Archie Manning.
Peyton Manning was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Sunday, August 8, 2021. Manning was presented by father Archie Manning. / Scott Heckel/Canton Repository / USA TODAY NETWORK
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As Texas fans make their way to Ann Arbor for this weekend's matchup against No. 10 Michigan, they'll notice a certain burnt orange and white flag flying just down the street of The Big House.

Both Texas and Michigan flags were seen outside the doors of The Graduate Hotel in Ann Arbor earlier this week.

Not exactly the standard operating procedure for a college town in the midst of a massive football game weekend right?

So how exactly did this happen? Some rumors suggest that Cooper Manning, father of Texas QB Arch Manning could be responsible.

When asked about the situation on 'The Pat McAfee Show' on Friday, Peyton Manning seemed just as intrigued as everyone else.

Longhorn
Texas Longhorns cheerleaders run flags across the endoze after a score in the game against Colorado State at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. / Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

"I have not heard this," Manning said. "Cooper is in the hotel business. The Graduate is kind of one of their top hotels. There's one in Knoxville, there's one in Columbus, there's one in Ann Arbor. They have room keys with the famous alums on there. I have not heard that but that 'ought to get this game and rivalry started pretty quick."

It's very possible that the flags were Cooper Manning's doing, as he currently serves as a senior managing director for investor relations at AJ Capital Partners. The company is involved with The Graduate Hotels and sponsors more than 30 locations across the nation - including in Ann Arbor.

Whether it was Cooper's influence to display the Longhorn flag or not, the event has certainly increased the hype surrounding the game, gaining interest on social media from both sides.

Texas currently sits as the projected favorite to win the matchup despite coming into enemy territory and will need every bit of encouragement they can get as they will play inside the biggest stadium in the country.

The flags will look to be a sign of support for the team when they're away from home and stand as a welcome sign for Longhorn fans traveling to Michigan as they continue to flood the streets of Ann Arbor with Texas pride.

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Emma Hutchinson
EMMA HUTCHINSON

Emma Hutchinson is a senior journalism student at the University of Texas at Austin, covering the Texas Longhorns for SI/Fan Nation since June of 2024. Her previous sports journalism experience includes writing and editing for The Daily Texan, where she covered Texas athletic programs such as softball, women’s basketball, football, and baseball. Originally from Washington, D.C., Emma now resides in the Dallas metroplex. She enjoys rooting for the Mavericks, Rangers, and Stars, as well as supporting the Nationals and Commanders.

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