Congratulations to Eli Manning on becoming a first-ballot Hall of Famer… at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame! The 42-year-old retired quarterback had plenty of jokes about his induction.
Manning, the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, played college football at the University of Mississippi. His father, Archie, is a legend in Oxford and his youngest son followed in his footsteps.
Eli played 43 games over five years at Ole Miss and completed more than 60% of his passes for 10,286 yards and 84 touchdowns. He led the Rebels to their first 10-win season since 1971 during the 2003 season, won a Cotton Bowl and was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year.
As a result of his strong career, Manning will be inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame with the Class of 2024. It was his first opportunity to be selected and got in.
Thus, he has jokes.
Is Eli Manning a Hall of Famer?!
There has been a lot of debate about Manning’s 16-year NFL career and whether he deserves to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame despite winning two Super Bowls and reaching four Pro Bowls. The Giants were exactly 117-117 during his time as the starter. He threw 244 interceptions to 366 touchdowns. His all-time passer rating is 84.1.
Believers would say that Manning led New York to two NFL championships and was named MVP in each of those wins— both of which came over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. They would point to his 57,023 career passing yards and lengthy career.
Haters would point to his .500 record, large number of interceptions, and just seven winning seasons. They would ignore his two rings, giving credit to the Giants defense and some special moments like the David Tyree helmet catch.
Regardless of who thinks what, there is no way to deny that Manning is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He made the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in the first year he is eligible.
There were a lot a doubters out there whether I would make it into the HOF. Case Closed!!
— Eli Manning on X, formerly known as Twitter
You heard the man, case closed!