When looking back at the legacy Eli Manning left, his two Super Bowl titles immediately leap to the forefront. They were magical moments and all-time upsets that were appreciated by fans all across the world.
However, the New York Giants legend rarely talked about those championship victories, instead remaining determined to focus on whatever task was at hand.
While announcing his retirement from football on Friday afternoon, Manning reflected on those Super Bowl wins in detail for the very first time. And in typical Eli fashion, credited everyone but himself.
“You know, those are obviously — when you think about the great moments in your career, those are going to be at the top of the list, when you win championships and both of them, two-minute drives to go down there and win it against an undefeated team that had not lost all year; I think those are special,” Manning said.
“I think everybody wants to make it me versus Tom Brady. It was the Giants versus Patriots. Our defenses played outstanding. Guys made plays. David Tyree, Mario Manningham, Plaxico Burress, in the corner of the end zone. Like I said, you just cherish those moments and you cherish those relationships that you have with those teammates and coaches when you win those games, and you know, those are — that’s obviously why you play for. You play for the opportunity to win a championship.
“You realize how hard it is and how difficult and all the breaks that have to go your way and that you got to overcome to get to those scenarios. Those are special ones that fortunately you get to kind of relive those moments through your friends.”
Unfortunately for Manning, he and the Giants would not hoist a third Lombardi trophy during his time under center and never really came close. The team eroded rapidly after the 2011 season and the final five years of Manning’s career were completely wasted.
Still, those two titles were special for obvious reasons and that’s something no one will ever be able to take away from Manning.
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