NEW ORLEANS - Among the paradegoers this weekend, a lucky few caught a glimpse of an NFL icon celebrating Mardi Gras in the Crescent City.

Video and photos posted on social media showed none other than future hall of fame quarterback Peyton Manning lining the route for the Iris parade Saturday. Manning, a New Orleans native, appeared to be right at home as riders launched throws in his direction.

"It all happened so fast that if you didn’t already have your phone out you missed it," said Traci Bailey, who rode in the parade. "He was just out there like everyone else. No one even seemed to know who was standing behind them."

Photo courtesy: Margaret Lokey

Bailey said she successfully threw some beads at the former quarterback, but another rider had a different idea. A video posted on Instagram shows Manning catching a stuffed football and then launching it back at the float after riders called for him to show off his throwing arm.

View this post on Instagram

Just a little throw and catch with Payton Manning at Madri Gras @espn @nfl @snfonnbc #MadriGras #Iris2019 #GOAT #Omaha

Trending News

• One arrested for felony hit-and-run after Central big rig crash last week
• WATCH: U.S.S. Kidd moving downstream for much-needed repairs

A post shared by Vincent Borrello (@vincent_borrello) on Mar 2, 2019 at 3:06pm PST

Manning, along with his brother Eli, was born in New Orleans while his father Archie was quarterbacking for the Saints in the 70s. He retired in 2016 after winning his second Super Bowl title with the Denver Broncos.