Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Eli Manning

Discover the career path of Eli Manning, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Eli Manning is a former American football quarterback who played 16 seasons in the NFL, all with the New York Giants. Born into the Manning football family as the youngest son of Archie and brother of Peyton, he played college football at Ole Miss. He earned the Maxwell and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards during his senior year. He was drafted first overall by the San Diego Chargers in 2004 but was immediately traded to the Giants.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1971: First 10-Win Season Since 1971

In 2003, Eli Manning helped lead Ole Miss to their first ten-win season since 1971.

2003: SBC Cotton Bowl Classic Victory

In 2003, Eli Manning led the Ole Miss Rebels to a 31-28 victory over #21 Oklahoma State in the SBC Cotton Bowl Classic, passing for 259 yards and two touchdowns. This contributed to the Rebels' first ten-win season since 1971.

November 21, 2004: First Career Start

On November 21, 2004, Eli Manning made his first career regular season start against the Atlanta Falcons at Giants Stadium, throwing his first career touchdown to Jeremy Shockey in the third quarter.

2004: Warner Leaves, Manning Named Starter

Following the 2004 season, Kurt Warner left the Giants, and Eli Manning was named the starting quarterback for the 2005 season.

2004: Giants Starting Quarterback

In 2004, Eli Manning became the starting quarterback for the New York Giants.

2004: NFL Draft Class of 2004

In 2004, Eli Manning was one of 17 quarterbacks taken in the NFL Draft, along with Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger.

2004: Drafted into the NFL

In 2004, Eli Manning was selected first overall in the NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers but was then traded to the New York Giants.

2004: Manning Refuses to Play for Chargers

In 2004, despite the San Diego Chargers holding the first overall pick in the NFL draft, Eli Manning and his father Archie publicly stated that he would refuse to play for the Chargers if drafted by them.

2005: Trade Details

In 2005, a first-round pick, used to select linebacker Shawne Merriman; and a fifth-round pick (which was later traded away) were part of the package sent to the Chargers in exchange for Eli Manning.

October 28, 2007: Giants Defeat Dolphins in London

On October 28, 2007, Eli Manning and the Giants played against the Miami Dolphins at London's Wembley Stadium. Manning threw for 59 yards but scored the Giants' only touchdown on a 10-yard run in the 13-10 victory. This was the first NFL regular season game played outside of North America.

2007: Five-Year Campaign for Children's Clinics

In 2007, Eli Manning started a five-year campaign to raise US$2.5 million for constructing "The Eli Manning Children's Clinics" at the University of Mississippi Medical Center's Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children.

January 6, 2008: Wild Card Round Victory

On January 6, 2008, Eli Manning led the Giants to a 24-14 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round. Manning completed 20 of 27 passes for 185 yards and threw two touchdown passes.

January 13, 2008: Divisional Round Upset Victory

On January 13, 2008, Eli Manning led the Giants to an upset victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round. Manning completed 12 of 18 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns, marking the first time since 1990 that a team beat an NFC number one seed in the Divisional Round.

January 20, 2008: NFC Championship Victory

On January 20, 2008, Eli Manning and the Giants beat the Green Bay Packers in overtime during the NFC Championship. The dramatic victory secured Manning and the Giants a trip to Super Bowl XLII, marking the first Super Bowl appearance for the New York Giants since 2001.

2008: Giants Start Season Strong

In 2008, Manning and the Giants opened the season with a 16-7 win over the Washington Redskins. Manning completed 19 passes for 216 yards with one rushing touchdown and one interception. The Giants continued their success with a 41-13 win over the St. Louis Rams and a 26-23 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

2008: Super Bowl MVP and Late Show Appearance

In 2008, after winning Super Bowl MVP, Eli Manning chose a 2008 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. He also appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman.

2008: Host of Guiding Eyes for the Blind's Golf Classic

Since 2008, Eli Manning has been the host of Guiding Eyes for the Blind's Golf Classic, a prominent charity golf event in Westchester County, New York.

August 5, 2009: Contract Extension

On August 5, 2009, Eli Manning signed a six-year US$97.5 million contract extension.

2009: Career Highs for Manning

In 2009, Eli Manning achieved career highs, including 4,021 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, a 62.3 completion percentage rating, and a passer rating of 93.1.

2009: Giants Season Start and Manning's Injury

In 2009, Manning and the Giants began the season with a 3-0 record. During Week 4, Manning injured his heel but completed a 54-yard touchdown pass to Hakeem Nicks. He was later diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. Manning had a perfect passer rating for the first time in his career.

2010: Fundraising for Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Awareness

In 2010, Eli Manning contributed to fundraising efforts to raise awareness about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

2010: 2010 Season Performance

In 2010, Eli Manning led the Giants to a 10-6 record but missed the playoffs. He had career-high 31 touchdowns and 25 interceptions, which marked the most by a quarterback in the 2010 season. Manning also reached 4,002 passing yards.

2011: Mixed Start to 2011 Season

In 2011, The Giants began the season losing to the Washington Redskins 28-14, but then won the next three games. Eli Manning earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week after a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles where he had 254 passing yards and four touchdowns.

2011: Giants Win NFC East Title

In 2011, after a tough stretch, the Giants finished strong, winning three of their last four games, including a key win over the New York Jets and a sweep of the Dallas Cowboys. Manning threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns in the final game against the Cowboys, securing the NFC East title and a playoff berth. He also tied an NFL record with a 99-yard touchdown pass to Victor Cruz and earned a Pro Bowl nomination.

2011: Giants Secure Super Bowl XLVI Berth

In 2011, the Giants, as underdogs, defeated the Atlanta Falcons and the Green Bay Packers to advance to the NFC Championship Game. They then defeated the San Francisco 49ers in overtime to secure a Super Bowl XLVI berth, making history as the first Super Bowl team ever outscored in the regular season. Eli Manning set franchise playoff records with 32 completions on 52 attempts for 316 yards and two touchdowns.

May 5, 2012: Hosting Saturday Night Live

On May 5, 2012, Eli Manning hosted NBC's Saturday Night Live (season 37, episode 20), with Rihanna as the musical guest.

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2012: Ended the 2012 season on a high note

In 2012, Eli Manning ended the season with a strong performance, throwing a career-high five touchdown passes in a win against the Philadelphia Eagles, finishing the season with 26 touchdown passes, 15 interceptions and 3,948 passing yards.

2012: Super Bowl Victory Parade

In 2012, after winning the Super Bowl, Eli Manning and the Giants received a victory parade in Manhattan. Manning was ranked 31st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players.

2013: Season Opener

In 2013, Eli Manning started the season with 450 passing yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys, setting a franchise record for most passing yards in a season opener.

2015: Career Highs in 2015

In 2015, Eli Manning achieved career highs in touchdown passes (35), completions (387), attempts (618), and passer rating (93.6), also throwing for 4,432 yards, the second most in his career.

2016: Typical phase of career

From 2012 to 2016, Eli Manning was well-protected by his offensive line, being sacked just 19 times, the lowest in the league at 3.4% of passing plays.

2016: Started the 2016 season

In 2016, Eli Manning and the Giants started the season with a 2-3 record over the first five games, and Manning reached a career total of 302 touchdown passes, passing John Elway for seventh all time.