Eli Manning was named one of the semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s modern voting two weeks ago when he tried to make it to Canton, Ohio, in his freshman year.
The former New York Giants star has a Hall of Fame-worthy resume that includes two Super Bowl championships — both over Tom Brady and an undefeated New England Patriots team — as well as 57,023 passing yards and 366 touchdown passes. Those stats were among the highest in the NFL ever when he retired from the sport after the 2019 season.
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New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, #10, throws a pass before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on December 11, 2011. (Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports)
But getting into the Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot is an uphill battle as he has to last as long as Antonio Gates, Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, Darren Woodson, Fred Taylor and a handful of others who have been on the ballot anymore.
Former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick appeared on ESPN’s “ManningCast” Monday during the Los Angeles Rams’ playoff win over the Minnesota Vikings and threw his support behind the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback.
“Eli, you don’t look good in that hoodie, but you’re going to look good in a gold jacket,” Belichick told Manning. “I’m sure it’s going to happen and you deserve it so much to join Peyton in a gold jacket as well.”
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning on the field before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 13, 2024. (Brad Penner-Imagn Photos)
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Manning told the New York Post last week that he wasn’t quite so sure.
“I suppose it’s different just because it’s all out of your hands, you’re not campaigning for it, you’re not trying to talk to people about it or prove your point,” he said. “If I get in, it’s going to be an amazing, incredible few days down in New Orleans, and if I don’t, it’s not going to ruin it for me. I’m not going to be in a bad mood, I’m not going to sulk around .
“Just to be in the top 15 this year is a great honor, so I look at all of this as a positive and a fun experience.”
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning sits on the court during the fourth quarter between the New York Knicks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on January 10, 2025 in New York City. (Brad Penner-Imagn Photos)
If he gets in, the announcement ceremony would take place in New Orleans — Manning’s hometown.
