Eli Manning

Elisha Nelson "Eli" Manning, born January 3, 1981 is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning. He played college football at University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) after attending prep school at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans. He was drafted as the first overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers, and immediately traded to the New York Giants, who in return, gave up a package highlighted by 4th overall selection Philip Rivers. Manning won the Most Valuable Player award in Super Bowl XLII on February 3, 2008 after he led the Giants to a victory over the previously undefeated New England Patriots.


Prior to deciding which college to attend, Manning received a call from David Cutcliffe, formerly the offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee. Cutcliffe, who had previously helped Eli's older brother Cooper, improve his game, had been hired as the head coach at the University of Mississippi. Upon learning Cutcliffe was now in charge of the Rebel program, the 18-year-old followed his father’s footsteps, and made his way to Oxford, Mississippi
During his football career at Ole Miss, Manning set or tied 45 single-game, season, and career records. His career numbers include 10,119 passing yards (fifth on the SEC career list), 81 touchdown passes (third on the SEC career list), and a passer rating of 137.7 (tied for sixth on the SEC career list). Manning also led the Rebels to a 10-3 record and a 31-28 SBC Cotton Bowl Classic victory over the Oklahoma State Cowboys in 2003. He was invited to play in the 2004 Senior Bowl, but chose not to play.


Eli, his brothers Peyton and Cooper, and their parents Archie and Olivia all appeared in an ESPN This is SportsCenter ad from 2006.
In a 2006 commercial for NFL Sunday Ticket, he and Peyton came home to find Archie giving tips to Matt Leinart, confessing that he "always wanted a lefty".
Eli, Peyton and Cooper made a cameo appearance in an episode of The Simpsons where Bart dreams about the fun of having brothers.
He has also co-starred with Peyton for NFLShop.com and Oreo.
Eli has begun appearing solo in his own commercials, and is a spokesman for Citizen Watch Co., Toyota of New Jersey and Reebok. He reportedly received several more endorsement offers after reaching Super Bowl XLII.
Manning appeared on stage with Conan O'Brien at Radio City Music Hall for the former Tonight Show host's Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour on June 2, 2010.


Manning and Coach Tom Coughlin with President Bush on April 30, 2008.
Manning was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a member of Sigma Nu fraternity and was named Sigma Nu Athlete of the Year in 2001 and 2003.
In 2007, Manning proposed to Abby McGrew of Nashville, Tennessee.McGrew studies fashion in New York City, and has been with Manning since their days at Ole Miss.[98] Manning and McGrew married in a private ceremony held in San José del Cabo, Mexico on April 19, 2008. Eli and Abby have one daughter. During the season, they reside in Hoboken, New Jersey, in the same building as former Giants' quarterback Jesse Palmer.[101] (While he was governor of New Jersey, Jon Corzine lived in the same building for a time, but later moved elsewhere in Hoboken.)
Eli and Peyton Manning volunteered in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The Mannings assisted in the delivery of 30,000 pounds (14,000 kg) of water, Gatorade, baby formula, pumice, and pillows to the people of New Orleans.[103] After touring the University of Mississippi Medical Center's Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children, Manning undertook a 5-year campaign in 2007 to raise $2.5 million for the construction of "The Eli Manning Children's Clinics" at the children's hospital. Manning said in 2007, "I am humbled by the work they do and am honored to make this five-year commitment to help raise funds to build this state-of-the-art clinic that will serve Mississippi families for years to come." Eli Manning's father, Archie, also has worked to raise funds for Katrina relief efforts.
In 2009, Eli, Peyton, and Archie co-authored a children's book entitled Family Huddle, which describes in simple text and pictures how the three Manning brothers played football as young boys (Scholastic Press; illustrations by Jim Madsen).
In 2010, as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Manning appeared in a commercial to raise awareness for the spill. Also starring in the commercial were Sandra Bullock, Peyton Manning, Jack Del Rio, Drew Brees, Terry Bradshaw, Emeril Lagasse, James Carville, Blake Lively, and John Goodman.
Beginning in February 2011, Eli appeared in an Oreo commercial with other popular athletes.
Eli Manning has for five years been the host of Guiding Eyes for the Blind's Golf Classic, the oldest and largest charity golf event in Westchester County, NY. Guiding Eyes is a nonprofit guide dog school serving the blind and visually impaired from around the world, as well as children on the autism spectrum. Eli hosts the event because of the participation of a close family friend, Patrick Browne, Jr., who became blind as an adult and who participates in the blind golfer tournament held the day before the sponsor-support charity outing. The Golf Classic raises more than $500,000 annually.