Former NY Giants Quarterback Eli Manning Reached Magnificence When It Mattered
The New York Giants honored Eli Manning by retiring his jersey and inducting him in the Giants Ring of Honor. This tribute was appropriate for a player who led the franchise to two Super Bowls while earning the MVP award in each one. Plus, he made four Pro Bowl appearances while racking up many lofty statistics.
Still, some people look at Eli’s stellar 16-year career and wonder why so much of it was unremarkable. Nevertheless, no one can question whether he was great when it counted. His career may not have been perfect, but it was perfect when it had to be.
Although the debates on Manning’s NFL Hall of Fame worthiness are five years away, there are strong reasons why those conversations should go in his favor. Here are some key reasons why Eli Manning may be booking a trip to Canton, Ohio, in the near future.
The Giant’s Ironman
During a typical workday, most workers don’t absorb the impact of 340-pound men slamming into them at full speed. If they did, most people wouldn’t make it to lunch. Think of 6’5” 220-pound quarterback Eli Manning taking that punishment for 16 NFL seasons without missing a game.
Manning is the only player in Giants history to play 16 years with the franchise. Even more impressive, Eli ranks fourth in NFL history with 234 starts. The players ahead of him on that list are quarterbacks:
- Tom Brady of the New England Patriots (283)
- Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers (253)
- Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins (240)
In terms of consecutive starts, only Brett Favre and Phillip Rivers of the LA Chargers have more than Manning’s 210. Also, it’s interesting to note that the quarterbacks at the top of these lists are among the top 10 winningest quarterbacks in NFL history.
The Dynasty Spoiler
For most of the first two decades of the 21st century, the New England Patriots ruled over every team in the NFL, except the New York Giants. The Tom Brady-led Patriots could not defeat the Manning-led Giants from February 2008 to November 2015.
In 2008, the underdog Giants shocked the sports world by defeating the undefeated Patriots 17–14 in Super Bowl XLII. Manning collected his first Super Bowl MVP by completing 19 of 34 attempts for 255 yards and two touchdowns. New England’s loss ruined their shot at a perfect 19–0 season.
Four years later, the Giants did the unthinkable by defeating the Patriots again in Super Bowl XLVI. Manning turned in another MVP performance by throwing for 296 yards and recording a 103.7 quarterback rating. As a result of these two Super Bowl encounters, part of Eli Manning’s legacy will be his role as the spoiler in the New England Patriots dynasty.
With the Super Bowl XLVI win, Manning joined an elite class of five players who have won two or more Super Bowl MVPs. The other four are:
- Tom Brady of the New England Patriots
- Joe Montana of the San Francisco 49ers
- Terry Bradshaw of the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Bart Starr of the Green Bay Packers
The Defining Games of Eli’s Career
The most distinctive aspect of Eli Manning’s career is the unique mixture of mediocre and outstanding performances. His regular-season career record of 117–117 is unremarkable, and he never led in any passing categories. However, his legacy will be defined by the special occasions when he performed magnificently when his team needed it the most. Here are some of the most memorable games when Eli stepped up to the challenge.
Oakland Raiders — October 11, 2009, 44–7 win
It took more than luck for Manning to start 210 consecutive games, and this Oakland Raiders game is an excellent example of the grit it took to achieve this feat. Despite a nagging heel injury, Eli completed his 78th start with 173 passing yards and two touchdowns. Plus, his perfect passer rating of 158.3 made him the 49th quarterback in NFL history to achieve this mark.
New York Jets — December 24, 2011, 29–14 win
This game kept the Giant’s playoff bid alive and set the path to their second Super Bowl XLVI victory over the Patriots. To seal the victory, Manning connected with wide receiver Victor Cruz on a 99-yard pass late in the second quarter. This touchdown play moved the Giants in the lead for the rest of the game. Also, it made Manning and Cruz the 13th quarterback-receiver combination to score a 99-yard touchdown.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — September 16, 2012, 41–34 win
Although he threw three interceptions, Manning completed 13 of 51 passes for 510 yards, making him the 13th quarterback in NFL history to throw over 500 yards in a game. Manning’s performance in this game typified the hot and cold nature of his playing career.
Super Bowl XLVI vs. the New England Patriots — February 5, 2012, 21–17 win
Eli’s outstanding performance in this game proved that the Super Bowl XLII victory over the mighty Patriots wasn’t a fluke. As part of his 296-yard passing performance, Manning led the Giants’ offense to a come-from-behind 88-yard drive to the winning touchdown.
The Last Call
There were times in his career that made it hard to remain an Eli Manning fan. However, this two-time Super Bowl MVP has left some indelible marks in the record books of the NFL and New York Giants. His career may be unusual for a great player, but it puts him in a special category among athletes who’ve played football at this level.
