Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning‘s worthiness of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame has been a hot topic of debate since he became eligible this year.
However, one of his former teammates told host of “The Pivot Podcast” Ryan Clark that he believes Manning will be voted in on his first try.
“Outside the stats, which I think the stats back up that notion,” former Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said Wednesday. “When you think about his longevity, you think about his yards, you think about his touchdowns, you think about his Super Bowls, his Super Bowl MVPs, I think that alone says [first-ballot Hall of Famer.]”
Tuck also praised how Manning built his own impressive career “in the shadow of [older brother] Peyton Manning.”
“I got to see that dude work everyday for almost 11 years,” he continued, adding that despite Eli being a rung below Peyton as far as legacy goes, he still thinks the New York Ring of Honor inductee is a clear choice to be inducted into Canton, Ohio this year.
“What Eli did as long as he did it, in this city, to win those Super Bowls in the fashion that he helped us win them, I don’t understand why it’s even a question,” Tuck concluded his argument.
Manning accrued 57,023 career passing yards and 366 touchdowns and earned two Super Bowl MVPs in 2008 and 2012 — defeating Tom Brady both times. That is, indeed, an impressive resume to consider.
On the other hand, detractors point to his 118-118 career record in the regular season and his 244 career interceptions as reasons to consider him just a good quarterback but not exceptionally great.
Manning was included among 50 modern-era players who advanced to the next round of voting in the class of 2025. He was one of only two quarterbacks to advance, the other being Steve McNair, and among eight first-year eligible players.
The list of 50 will be narrowed down to 25 semifinalists to be announced before the end of November, per the Pro Football Hall of Fame website.
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