Eli Manning at his retirement.Photo: Adam Hunger/AP/Shutterstock
Eli Manningis opening up about hisdecision to retirefollowing his impressive 16-year career.
“From the very first moment, I did it my way. I couldn’t be someone other than who I am … I don’t have any regrets and I won’t look in the rearview mirror,” the longtime New York Giants quarterback, 39, said on Friday whileformally announcing his retirement at a press conference.
During the speech, Manning touched on what he’ll miss from his time in the NFL, admitting, “There won’t be any more tunnel moments for me and I’ll truly miss them.”
He continued, “I’ll miss hearing the first roar of the crowd, triggering the knowledge that we had been given one more opportunity to go win a football game.”
Said Manning, “I choose to leave this game with only positive memories — why harp on the not-so-proud moments? … For now, I’ll focus on the touchdowns, the wins.”
Manning spent all 16 seasons with the Giants, and shared on Friday, “It’s rare to have the privilege to play an entire career with one organization. I’m proud to be one of the few.”
He concluded his speech, “For most of my life people have called me easy, believe me there is nothing easy about today.”
Manning also later told reporters during a question and answer session that it was “important for me to go out as a Giant.”
Sarah Stier/Getty
As he was taken off the field, a visibly emotional Manning received astanding ovationfrom the crowd.
“For 16 seasons, Eli Manning defined what it is to be a New York Giant both on and off the field,” said the Giants president and CEO, John Mara, in astatementon the NFL team’s website.
“Eli is our only two-time Super Bowl MVP and one of the very best players in our franchise’s history,” Mara added. “We are beyond grateful for his contributions to our organization and look forward to celebrating his induction into the Giants Ring of Honor in the near future.”
Eli Manning.Elsa/Getty
“I never wavered on him,” Ernie Accorsi, the Giants’ former general manager, toldThe New York Timeslast year. “I had been through this before with young quarterbacks. John Elway in his first game lined up behind the guard instead of the center on one play. So I understood what was going on. I didn’t expect a lot … People always ask me what I saw in Eli when he was young. … I didn’t see stats. I saw a leader. I saw championships. That’s what he was brought here for, not stats.”
Manning went on to solidify his legacy and surpass all expectations in 2008 when he led the Giants to an upset victory overTom Bradyand the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII — and was named Super Bowl MVP.
The Giants and Patriots met again in Super Bowl XLVI, where they once again trounced New England, this time with a score of 21-17, as Eli picked up his second Super Bowl MVP award.
Eli Manning.Emilee Chinn/Getty
In 2017, Manning was named a co-recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, one of the league’s most respected honors.
“This is very special,” Manning said at the time. “To be mentioned in the same sentence with Walter Payton and to see the amount of people that we’ve helped with the great work we’ve done over the years with my family, and for that to have grown as much as it has and be recognized for this award, is special.”
On Friday, when Manning was asked what’s next for him, he candidly admitted: “I don’t know.”
“I look forward to a little downtime, I look forward to a little time with my family,” he said.
source: people.com
