For Tom Coughlin, Eli Manning challenges ex-Giants to raise money for Jay Fund Foundation

New York Giants legend Eli Manning challenged his former teammates to raise money for the Jay Fund Foundation.

Former New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, who won three Super Bowls with the team over two stints and 15 years, turns 74 years old on Monday.

Unsurprisingly, one of the first of Coughlin’s former players to step up and send out his well wishes is retired quarterback Eli Manning.

And in doing so, also challenged former Giants to step up and donate to the Jay Fund Foundation.

Manning and Coughlin developed a close bond during their time together, which spanned from Eli’s rookie season of 2004 through Coughln’s resignation in January of 2016.

Even after Coughlin’s forced resignation, the two have remained close and share a mutual respect and admiration for one another.

Following Manning’s retirement from football earlier this year, Coughlin penned an emotional “thank you” to the quarterback.

“Eli, I want to thank you for all that you have done for the Giants, for the NFL, and for the community. You and I came to the Giants together, and it has been an honor and a privilege to work with you and to be your coach. Thank you for all the great memories,” Coughlin said in a statement via The Jay Fund Foundation through Giants Wire. “I can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds for you and Abby and the children. You are certainly deserving of all the accolades that come your way.

“In the locker room, you were always an incredible combination of a quiet leader and fierce competitor; you represented the Giants in all matters with the utmost integrity and your leadership and skill as a quarterback were key to two Super Bowl victories and being named MVP twice. But it’s the person you are that will be missed the most by your teammates and the entire Giants organization.

“Archie and Olivia should be so proud of the son they raised. Your words and actions epitomize who you are as a player, a teammate, a dad, and a human being. Thank you for all the joy you’ve given to everyone you’ve touched as a New York Giant.”

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