In a stunning improvement from the NFL Honors award present on Thursday evening, Eli Manning shouldn’t be a first-ballot Corridor of Famer. The previous Giants quarterback did not earn inclusion as a member of the 2025 class of the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.
As an alternative, Jared Allen, Eric Allen, Antonio Gates and Sterling Sharpe will share the stage at this yr’s ceremony on Aug. 2.
However whereas some are left confused and arguing Manning was snubbed, the committee truly did the correct factor.
They seemed past the soccer royalty of his final title and the very fact he performed for a marquee franchise in an enormous market. They merely checked out his total resume and realized he is simply not deserving of a first-ballot selection.
These upset about Manning’s “snub” will level to his two Tremendous Bowl rings, each received by the hands of the New England Patriots within the midst of their dynastic run with Invoice Belichick and Tom Brady.
Manning even has the large second of spoiling the Patriots’ undefeated season by main a game-winning drive within the ultimate seconds of Tremendous Bowl XLII to win the sport, 17-14.
Others could recommend his 57,023 passing yards is sufficient by itself. Nonetheless, there are many holes on Manning’s resume that warrant making him wait to earn soccer immortality.
Manning threw 366 touchdown passes throughout his 16-year NFL profession. However he additionally threw 244 interceptions, the thirteenth most in NFL historical past.
In truth, Manning by no means led the league in landing passes or another constructive passing class. The one class he did high on a number of events — interceptions. He truly led the league in picks thrice.
Manning threw 20 interceptions within the 2007 common season that preceded his Giants surprising the world with their unbelievable Tremendous Bowl triumph.
Manning additionally led the league in interceptions in 2010 (25) and 2013 (27). He truly reached double digits in interceptions in all however two of his 16 seasons — the 9 video games he performed as a rookie and the 4 in his ultimate NFL season in 2019.
It is not simply concerning the turnovers as why Manning would not match first poll standards. Brett Favre, the NFL’s all-time chief in interceptions with 366, turned a first-ballot choice and is usually thought to be one of many best quarterbacks in historical past.
However there’s an enormous distinction between Favre and Manning — “The Gunslinger” was a far more accomplished participant than Manning. He was an 11-time Professional Bowler, received three MVPs and made first-team All-Professional thrice.
For an extra comparability, Manning made 4 Professional Bowls, was by no means named All-Professional and by no means really got here near MVP consideration. Sure, Manning has yet one more Tremendous Bowl ring than Favre, however soccer is a workforce sport and the Corridor of Fame is about what an athlete achieved as a person.
Manning will possible be enshrined in some unspecified time in the future. And if we have a look at a sports activities Corridor of Fame as a museum to chronicle the historical past of the sport, Manning deserves a spot in Canton.
However with that mentioned, solely 89 (25 quarterbacks) of the present 371 Professional Soccer Corridor of Famers have been inducted of their first yr eligible. Based mostly on that president alone, a first-ballot honor needs to be reserved for the elite of the elite.
So whereas Manning lacking out may shock informal followers, awarding one of many extra polarizing candidates in latest reminiscence with the first-ballot distinction would’ve been improper.
Manning will ultimately get in, however his wait is simply.
