When Eli Manning announced his retirement from the NFL in January, New York Giants co-owner John Mara was quick to reveal that jersey No. 10 would never again be issued.
“We would be honored to induct Eli into the Giants Ring of Honor,” Mara said at Manning’s retirement press conference. “No Giant will ever wear number 10 again.”
Mara added that Manning’s Ring of Honor ceremony and jersey retirement would happen at some point during the 2020 regular season, but things across the world have changed drastically since then.
On Monday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order limiting all outdoor gatherings in the state due to COVID-19, which also signaled the end to any hope that Giants fans could attend home games at MetLife Stadium this fall — and potentially for the entire season.
Accordingly, the Giants may pump the brakes on Manning’s Ring of Honor induction and jersey retirement.
Zack Rosenblatt of NJ Advance Media reports that it’s a “good bet” the Giants delay any ceremonies involving Manning (or any other legendary Giant) that were initially planned for 2020.
The Giants don’t have any plans to induct Manning into the Ring of Honor in 2020 just yet, a person familiar with the team’s thinking told NJ Advance Media. There hasn’t been in-depth conversations about the topic, the person said, but it’s a “good bet” to expect that the retirement of No. 10 will be delayed … for now.
Although the Giants, who have not inducted anyone into the Ring or Honor since 2016, will likely wait to recognize Manning’s remarkable career until there can be a packed stadium, do not expect No. 10 to be issued this season or ever again.
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