Elisha Nelson Manning is an American former professional football player. He was born on January 3, 1981, as the youngest son of Archie Manning and the younger brother of Peyton Manning. Coming from a family of athletes who had created a strong legacy in football, it was no surprise that Eli would do the same.
Eli Manning played college football at the University of Mississippi. His college career was extremely successful in spite of playing in the shadows of his brother and father. He won many awards such as the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Conerly Trophy, SEC Offensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-American and Maxwell Award to name a few.
His successful college career led Manning to secure his future in the NFL. He was drafted as the first pick in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers but was traded to the New York Giants during the draft.
Manning is recognized for having led an underdogs Giants team to the Superbowl twice against the famed New England Patriots dynasty and winning both contests. He won the Superbowl MVP Award for both wins, making him join a unique group of players who have earned the honour multiple times. Manning is also known to have maintained his health, having never missed a game due to injury. As a starting quarterback, he holds many records in franchise and NFL history.
Aside from his impressive accolades and records collection, Manning is also famous for what came to be called the “Manning Bowl.” These were games that featured Eli and Peyton playing against each other. The Manning Bowl has happened thrice with Peyton emerging as the victor in every single contest.
Which Year Did Eli Manning Retire?
Eli Manning retired in the year 2020 after having played 16 years in the NFL. Throughout his distinguished career, he has played for one team which is the New York Giants and has led them to two Super Bowl victories.
Playing in the league for 16 years as a starting quarterback led Eli to amass multiple accolades and achievements which include 2 Super Bowl Championships, 2 Super Bowl MVP Awards, Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, Bart Starr Award, 4 Pro Bowl selections, most number of passing yards in one postseason run and longest touchdown pass.
Aside from these awards, Manning was awarded the New York Giants Ring of Honour and had his jersey number retired. He rejoined the Giants in the capacity of a fan engagement and operations role. However, he left that position in order to enter the broadcasting space.
Currently, Eli is a member of ESPN as an NFL analyst along with his brother Peyton Manning. The two brothers are hosts of the show named “Manningcast.” The show involves the Manning brothers analyzing the game while simultaneously having a conversation with a special guest on the show. In addition to this show, Eli Manning also hosts another show named “Eli’s Places.”
Eli Manning was inducted into the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2021 and will be considered for enshrinement within the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025.
FAQs
A. Eli Manning was drafted in 2004. He played 16 seasons in the NFL before retiring in the year 2020.
A. Eli Manning retired at the age of 39.
A. Eli Manning has never won the regular season MVP. However, he has won the Superbowl MVP twice.
A. Eli Manning has entered the broadcasting field ever since he retired from the NFL. He hosts a show called the “Manningcast” along with his brother, Peyton Manning.
