Eli Manning’s Hall of Fame Snub Gets WORSE
In what could be described as one of the most challenging seasons in New York Giants history, the centennial year was far from celebratory for the franchise. On the field, the team stumbled to a franchise-worst 3-14 record, thanks to a tumultuous quarterback carousel featuring Jones, Lock, DeVito, and Boyle. Meanwhile, off the field, former Giant Saquon Barkley rubbed some salt in the wounds for Giants fans by helping the divisional rival Philadelphia Eagles clinch a Super Bowl victory.
Perhaps most striking for Big Blue loyalists, however, was the snubbing of iconic quarterback Eli Manning from the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first ballot attempt. The anticipation had been building for fans who eagerly awaited seeing Manning, the two-time Super Bowl victor against the formidable Tom Brady-led New England Patriots, honored among the NFL’s greatest in Canton. Manning’s career stats tell a compelling tale: he ranks in the top 10 for passing yards, completions, and touchdowns—a testament to his long-standing contribution to the Giants across 16 seasons, during which he collected a balanced record of 117-117.
While some critics argue Manning’s overall record might have dimmed his chances for first-ballot induction, it barely scratches the surface of his immense impact on the league and the Giants. Drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2004 and swiftly traded to the Giants in a major deal involving Phillip Rivers, Manning’s legacy was cemented with his poise and clutch performances in the postseason, particularly those memorable runs in 2007 and 2011.
Kristopher Knox from Bleacher Report certainly recognizes this, ranking Manning as the top No. 1 NFL draft pick over the last 25 years. Sure, he might not have been the league’s statistical leader in every category (he led in interceptions three times), but Manning’s steadiness throughout regular seasons and extraordinary crunch-time performances—highlighted by those two Vince Lombardi Trophies—speak volumes about his legacy.
His career totals of 57,073 yards and 366 touchdowns, paired with an impressive streak of 210 consecutive starts, demonstrate his resilience and consistency, cornerstones of any great NFL career. Even after being controversially benched by coach Ben McAdoo for Geno Smith in 2017, Manning’s legacy was set in stone as one of the Giants’ greats.
Manning’s place in NFL history is unmistakable. Having already earned his spot in the Giants’ Ring of Honor and seeing his No. 10 jersey retired in 2021, it feels only right that the narrative of the NFL includes a chapter on Eli Manning in the Hall of Fame. After all, his career achievements and knack for rising to the occasion in football’s most clutch moments make him a deserving entry into the annals of the sport’s legendary figures.
