To the Hall of Fame Selection Committee,
I write this to you after the recent reports that one Eli Manning did not make your boy's club once again. As you sit there, you're probably thinking, "Here's another salty New York Giants fan being obnoxious over the news, pouting about why he was snubbed from the Hall for the second consecutive year."
You're not wrong. And I’m not only going to tell you why Eli belongs in Canton, but I'm also going to convince you why you made the wrong decision. I could get into your committee’s personal agenda not to induct Bill Belichick as a first-ballot Hall of Famer, which is also flat-out wrong (coming from a Giants fan, no less), but that could be a whole other letter, so I'll stick to Eli's candidacy for now.
The 16-year QB might not have the most glamorous stats, which is probably why you're overlooking him when it comes to his candidacy, but why not look at the rest of his illustrious career?
I believe the HoF's purpose is to honor individuals whose careers exemplify excellence in performance, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and significant influence on the game, both on and off the field.
Its members are leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the game and should be recognized not just for their achievements but also for their overall impact and legacy. I believe Eli Manning checks all of those boxes, and his impact and legacy shouldn't go unnoticed.
Let’s start with his stats, since that’s what matters most... apparently. The Giants legend finished with 57,023 passing yards (Top-10 all-time at the time of his retirement), 366 touchdowns, and 210 consecutive starts -- hand him the Ironman Award for that while you're at it.
Not to mention, he played all 16 seasons with one team and was the face of New York football for nearly two decades through multiple eras, coaches, and rosters. If there’s anything I know, it’s that the Hall of Fame loves quarterbacks who defined their respective franchises, and Eli did just that.
As for the postseason, Manning holds an 8-4 record, and, of course, he’s undefeated in the Super Bowl, beating the “GOAT,” Tom Brady, and the New England Patriots not once, but twice and earning MVP honors in both games.
No other quarterback can say they’ve done that; winning twice in that fashion is not luck.
Manning’s game-winning drives in both Super Bowls, which featured iconic plays like The Helmet Catch and the Mario Manningham Sideline Throw, are some of the best moments in NFL history and changed the game forever. You actually can't talk about the Super Bowl without mentioning Manning.
Off-the-field, Eli’s lifelong commitment to philanthropy and community impact should also be recognized. Manning is a member of the Giants’ ring of honor, and, aside from the accolades and accomplishments, it’s solely due to his reputation as a leader and role model for the organization.
Eli always carried himself professionally; he never had any off-field controversies and was an active member of the community. He has been involved in youth football camps and community outreach events, visited children’s hospitals for nearly two decades, and was a multiple-time Giants nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
Basically, what I’m saying is you can’t tell the story of the NFL, especially the Super Bowl era, without including the 45-year-old, whose impact transcended the football field. The Hall of Fame is all about one's impact on the league, legacy, championships, community, and storytelling, and there’s nobody more deserving of this than Eli Manning.
Please consider Eli Manning on next year's ballot; you will not regret your decision!
Consider it written in blue.