Manning, Eli (1981-…), was a star quarterback for the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL) . A quarterback leads a football team’s offense (see Football (The offensive team) ; Football (Advancing the ball) ). Manning led the Giants to victories in the Super Bowl , the NFL’s championship game, in 2008 and 2012. He was named Most Valuable Player in both games. Early in his NFL career, Manning was an erratic passer, and many of his performances were marred by interceptions. However, he later became known for his accurate passing and leadership.
Elisha Nelson Manning was born on Jan. 3, 1981, in New Orleans . He played quarterback for the University of Mississippi from 2000 to 2003. He set or tied 45 single game, season, and career offensive records at Mississippi. The San Diego Chargers (now the Los Angeles Chargers ) selected him as the first player taken in the 2004 NFL draft. The draft is the process in which NFL teams choose players, usually amateurs. San Diego immediately traded Manning to the Giants. He started 210 games as quarterback for the Giants from 2005 to 2017, a streak second only to Brett Favre’s 297 consecutive regular season games as quarterback from 1992 to 2010. Manning passed for more than 4,000 yards in three consecutive seasons—2009 (4,021 yards), 2010 (4,002 yards), and 2011 (4,933 yards). He announced his retirement as a player in January 2020.
Manning is the younger brother of former star NFL quarterback Peyton Manning . Their father, Archie Manning, was selected to the College Football Hall of Fame for his performance as quarterback at the University of Mississippi and played quarterback in the NFL from 1971 through 1984.
