NFL: Players, Coaches And Community React to Eli Manning's Retirement

KEY POINTS

Eli Manning will retire from the NFL after 16 years
Eli Manning is a two-time Super Bowl winner
Eli Manning has also contributed to charity work, raising millions of dollars for children with cancer

Eli Manning has cemented himself as one of the more prominent figures in the NFL. A prolific quarterback with a storied career, the former number one pick of the 2004 draft has announced that he will officially retire from the league. It was a 16-year stint with the New York Giants that featured two Super Bowl championships in which both years he was named the MVP.

The 39-year-old has garnered much respect throughout the league, his team, fellow players, and coaches. He has also played a part in reaching out and helping the community with his charity work off the field.

With him announcing his retirement, Twitter blew up with the hashtag #thankyouEli as a tribute to the 2016 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year winner. Golden Tate and Evan Engram are among the many NFL players who showed their respect for Eli Manning – taking it to social media to post their photos and messages for the veteran. Fellow New York team, the Mets, also contributed their share of gratitude.

1️⃣6️⃣ seasons!! Wish it wouldn’t have been so short lived #️⃣🔟! No doubt in my mind my man has tons more left in the tank, but here’s to a great HOF career!🍻...I’ll be awaiting for Eli’s call for Beer Pong 🏆. “I’ll bring the bee-ers, I’ll bring the bee-ers” (Mr. Deeda voice)😂 pic.twitter.com/CpNngWmt8Q
— Golden Tate (@ShowtimeTate) January 22, 2020

Congrats Eli Manning on an Amazin’ career. #ThankYouEli @Giants pic.twitter.com/a9DMfVL91Y
— New York Mets (@Mets) January 22, 2020

Sports outlets offered their respect to Eli Manning’s accomplishments. Classic moments from his Super Bowl stint and among his other touchdowns have resurfaced online.

Eli Manning found David Tyree for one of the greatest plays of all time to beat the undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII ...

The helmet catch 🙌 (via @NFL) https://t.co/FxLi747YYh
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 22, 2020

EVERY. ELI. TOUCHDOWN. 🙌
— New York Giants (@Giants) January 23, 2020

In addition to his work on the field, he has used his influence to change lives beyond his fellow athletes. Tom Coughlin former coach of the New York Giants who brought the franchise two Super Bowl titles also shared his tribute to Eli Manning. He thanked his former team captain for all that he’s done for the sport and for the people.

#ThankYouEli, for always choosing to #BeThere pic.twitter.com/YDoanI59tE
— Tom Coughlin Jay Fund (@tcjayfund) January 22, 2020

One of which includes his advocacy to contribute to Tackle Kids Cancer where he has helped raise over 4.5 million dollars. He is known to reach out to the children in need as highlighted by his visits to the hospital.

Thank you Eli for all you did off the field, as well as on it. 💙 @Giants | #ThankYouEli pic.twitter.com/aqVsks8OWS
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) January 22, 2020

Eli Manning will always be known to be one of the best. Whether it’s his cerebral approach to the game or his professional demeanor, Manning has already touched so many lives. New York Giants chairman and executive vice president Steve Tisch thanked Manning for everything that he’s done. “ Eli leaves a timeless legacy with two Super Bowl titles on the field and his philanthropic work off the field, which has inspired and impacted so many people.”