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Big Blue Report: Manning Walks Away; Mara and Coughlin Comment

When the New York Giants take the field in September it will mark the first ime in 16 seasons that Eli Manning will not be on the sidelines. The news broke earlier in the day Wednesday that the future Hall of Fame Quarterback will be retiring.

Manning who was drafted number one back in 2004 by the Chargers was traded to the Giants and helped lead to New York to two Super Bowl Championships.

Manning was regulated to a back up role after the team drafted Daniel Jones last April. Former Head Coach Pat Shurmur named Eli the starter during training camp last summer but his season ended abruptly after two starts.

After an injury against Green Bay December 1st, Manning had an opportunity the following two weeks to play against both Philadelphia and Miami to finish his amazing career.

After a great send off at Metlife Stadium against Miami, Manning waved to the crowd and was greeted by his family in the tunnel. The team awarded Eli the game ball and celebrated with Manning in the locker room.

Jones returned to the line up the following week and finished the final two games of the season. Following the loss against the Eagles, the questions started for Manning about his future.

On Wednesday the news broke and even though it was not a surprise, the news felt like a shock.

The Giants family is showing nothing but love for Manning. Especially coming from ownership.

“For 16 seasons, Eli Manning defined what it is to be a New York Giant both on and off the field,” said John Mara, the Giants’ president and chief executive officer. “Eli is our only two-time Super Bowl MVP and one of the very best players in our franchise’s history. He represented our franchise as a consummate professional with dignity and accountability. It meant something to Eli to be the Giants quarterback, and it meant even more to us. 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.”

The imprint that Manning has left on the Giants will never be matched and Daniel Jones has huge shoes to fill, but he is off to a great start.

We finish off with letting his former Head Coach speak on the legacy on Eli Manning.

“It was an honor and privilege to coach Eli, and to go through the wonderful and magnificent moments that he and his teammates provided for all of us in the world championship ‘07-‘08 and ’11-’12 seasons,” Coughlin said. “The New York Giants, flagship franchise of the National Football League, have four world championships You have four trophies sitting there. You have (Phil) Simms, you have (Jeff) Hostetler, and you have Eli for two. Eli Manning not only is the quarterback on those great teams, but he is the MVP of the Super Bowls. He’s an incredible big- game performer. You talk about a guy that’s great to coach, focused every day, took tremendous pride in preparing, practice, had a great sense of humor, was a cynic in the locker room. But the guys loved him and they loved him for it, and they played for him. The guys that had the opportunity to play with him know what it’s like to be with a guy with as much talent, as much grit, as much determination.

“Here goes the retirement of a great, great football Giant. I and my coaching staff and our teams from 2004 right through 2015, for me at least, my part, hold Eli in the highest respect and congratulate him and his family, and his mom and dad, for all of the wonderful, wonderful experiences he’s had, and the happiness and pride that he has brought to the entire Giants family, the fanfare, the fans, the family and everyone that’s taken so much pride from his performances and for what he’s meant. He’s always been there to make the call, to stand up and represent the Giants in the best possible way.”

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