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Retired New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is not one to gloat or brag, so when he meets up with Tom Brady, there’s no discussion about Super Bowl XLII or Super Bowl XLVI.
That is, of course, unless Brady brings it up himself.
“It’s one of those things, it’s not something I ever say or ever think a lot about,” Manning told the New York Post. “I’ve been around Tom numerous times, and I’ve never brought up a Super Bowl or our games versus them. He actually brings it up. It still bothers him a little bit, especially the ’07 one when they had the chance to go down as the greatest team of all time.
“But I don’t have any bragging rights with Tom. This is his 10th Super Bowl, and I’m so impressed with his whole career.”
Both Brady and New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick have publicly acknowledged in the past that the loss bothers them. And even 14 years removed from that game, it’s no easier for either to take.
But unlike Belichick, Brady is headed back to the Super Bowl this season — his 10th such appearance — and that’s something that thoroughly impresses Manning.
“It’s really impressive what Tom’s been able to do,” Manning said. “Just the fact, changing teams after 20 years, with one team where you’ve had so much success and going to a new team, new city, new state during a pandemic, where you have a shortened off-season and different rules and kind of get the same results. Getting back to a Super Bowl, at age 43, yeah, it’s so impressive. It was hard to think that was going to be possible. He’s obviously got a special demeanor and a special ability to get guys to rally around him.”
Manning stopped short of offering a Super Bowl LV prediction, simply saying that whoever has the ball last is likely to secure the win.
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