It was but fitting for Eli Manning to get a win in what was likely his final start in a Giants uniform. He wasn’t perfect; in fact, he threw more passes that were intercepted than caught for touchdowns. Still, he was good enough to claim the 117th regular-season victory of his career. And while it had no bearing on the franchise’s already-doomed playoff hopes, it at least served to even out his record. For the 72,894 in attendance at the MetLife Stadium, it likewise gave them an opportunity to thank him for his body of work. He was pulled with a minute and change left in the contest precisely to soak in their standing ovation.
Considering that the triumph was just Manning’s first in four 2019 starts and ninth in his last 36, he was appropriately appreciative in the aftermath. “Obviously, the support of the fans and their ovation and their chanting my name from the first half until the end, I appreciate that,” he said. “It was a special day, a special win, one I’ll remember.” It’s also one they won’t forget, especially given the way he seemed to turn back time with three scoring drives in their first five series. They were generous in their cheers, chanting his name early and often in an obvious nod to his better days as a quarterback.
Franchise owner John Mara cautioned against making assumptions regarding Manning’s future, but everybody else knew. Those around him resolved to play extra hard and carve a happy ending. “Let’s send him out on the right note. Do everything in our power,” wide receiver Sterling Shepard said. “I’m glad we were able to do it with a win and in that fashion,” running back Saquon Barkley echoed. To be fair, even he understood the significance of yesterday’s start. He had his family attend the game, never mind that it involved protagonists with a combined five wins and scraping the bottom of the league barrel. And, needless to say, they met him as he walked off the field and into the tunnel amid much fanfare.
While not particularly fond of personal attention and more predisposed to deflecting credit to teammates, Manning couldn’t help but look back on his accomplishments. Foremost among them are his two Super Bowl victories. He wasn’t envisioned to prevail in either instance, but then proved skeptics wrong on the strength of Most Valuable Player turns. He looks fresh out of surprises, but, hey, who’s to say he doesn’t have one more in store? In any case, he has made the best of his chances, and has every right to look back to his achievements with pride.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
