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 retired American football quarterback who spent his entire 16-season NFL career with the New York Giants. Drafted first overall in 2004 after a successful college career at Ole Miss, Manning led the Giants to two Super Bowl victories (XLII and XLVI), earning the Super Bowl MVP award in both games. He comes from a prominent football family, being the son of Archie Manning and the younger brother of Peyton Manning. Known for his durability and clutch performances, Manning holds several Giants franchise records and is considered a key figure in the team's history.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1971: First Ten-Win Season Since 1971

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

1983: Comparison to the 1983 NFL Draft

The 2004 NFL draft was compared to the 1983 NFL draft, which included Hall of Fame quarterbacks John Elway, Jim Kelly, and Dan Marino.

2001: Sigma Nu Athlete of the Year

In 2001, Eli Manning was named Sigma Nu Athlete of the Year.

2003: 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.

2003: Awards and Heisman Nomination

In 2003, Eli Manning won the Maxwell Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Award, Sporting News Radio Socrates Award, SEC Most Valuable Player Award, and was a candidate for the Heisman Trophy.

November 21, 2004: First Career Start

On November 21, 2004, Eli Manning made his first career regular season start against the Atlanta Falcons and threw his first career touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey.

December 12, 2004: Benched Against the Ravens

On December 12, 2004, Eli Manning had a 0.0 passer rating against the Baltimore Ravens and was benched in the second half, though he remained the Giants' starter.

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: First Losing Record Since Rookie Year

In 2004, Eli Manning had his rookie year and in 2013 the Giants had their first losing record since then.

2004: Start of Giants Career

In 2004, Eli Manning started his career as the starting quarterback for the New York Giants.

2004: 2004 NFL Draft

In 2004, Eli Manning was one of 17 quarterbacks drafted into the NFL, alongside 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, and then traded to the New York Giants.

September 25, 2005: Return to San Diego

On September 25, 2005, Eli Manning and the Giants played against the San Diego Chargers, where Manning was booed by the crowd, but had an impressive performance with 352 passing yards and two touchdowns.

2005: Trade Compensation

In 2005, as part of the trade with the San Diego Chargers, the New York Giants sent a first-round pick (Shawne Merriman) and a fifth-round pick to the Chargers.

2007: Shoulder Sprain & Victory Over the Jets

In 2007, Eli Manning suffered a shoulder sprain, but still got a come-from-behind victory against the Washington Redskins and overcame a dismal first half to throw for two second-half scores in a win over the New York Jets.

2007: Five-year campaign for "The Eli Manning Children's Clinics"

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

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, the oldest and largest charity golf event in Westchester County, New York.

2009: Co-authoring Family Huddle

In 2009, Eli, Peyton, and Archie Manning co-authored a children's book entitled, Family Huddle, which describes how the Manning brothers played football as kids.

Family Huddle

Check it on Amazon

2010: Raising funds for Deepwater Horizon oil spill awareness

In 2010, Eli Manning helped raise funds for awareness of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, in the wake of the catastrophe.

2011: Playoff Berth Since 2011 Season

In December 2011, the Giants clinched their first playoff berth since the 2011 season, when they last won the Super Bowl, after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost to the New Orleans Saints.

May 5, 2012: Hosting Saturday Night Live

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

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2012: First Winning Season Since 2012

In 2012, Eli Manning led the Giants to their first winning season since 2012, with an 11-5 record, defeating the Washington Redskins.

2012: Third Pro Bowl Selection

In 2012, despite the Giants missing the playoffs with a 9-7 record, Eli Manning was selected as a second alternate for his third Pro Bowl.

2015: Career Highs in Touchdowns, Completions, Attempts and Passer Rating

In 2015, Eli Manning set 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.

January 22, 2016: Fourth Pro Bowl Selection

On January 22, 2016, Eli Manning was selected for his fourth career Pro Bowl, tying Fran Tarkenton for most Pro Bowl selections by a New York Giants quarterback.

2016: Part of BTIG Commissions for Charity Day

In 2016, Eli Manning participated in the 14th Annual BTIG Commissions for Charity Day, a fundraiser for hundreds of charities.

2016: Passing John Elway in Touchdown Passes

In 2016, during a 27-23 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, Eli Manning threw for three touchdowns, reaching a career total of 302 touchdown passes and surpassing John Elway for seventh all-time.

2017: End of Consecutive Game Starts

In 2017, Eli Manning's streak of 210 consecutive game starts ended; this was the third-longest consecutive starts streak by an NFL quarterback.

2017: Benched After 210 Consecutive Games

In 2017, after a 2-9 start to the season, Eli Manning was benched, ending his streak of 210 consecutive regular-season games started, though he later regained his starting position.

September 17, 2019: Announced Manning Would Not Start

On September 17, 2019, the Giants announced that Eli Manning would not start in Week 3, signaling a potential end to his time as the team's starting quarterback.

2019: End of Giants Career

In 2019, Eli Manning's time as the starting quarterback for the New York Giants came to an end.

2019: Drafting of Daniel Jones

In 2019, the Giants selected Daniel Jones in the first round of the NFL Draft, signaling a succession plan for Eli Manning's quarterback position.

January 22, 2020: Retirement Announcement

On January 22, 2020, Eli Manning announced his retirement from the NFL, with plans to have his jersey retired and be inducted into the Giants Ring of Honor later that year.

September 26, 2021: Jersey Retirement and Ring of Honor Induction

On September 26, 2021, Eli Manning's jersey was retired and he was inducted into the Giants' Ring of Honor during a halftime ceremony.

2021: Hosting The Eli Manning Show

In 2021, Eli Manning began hosting The Eli Manning Show on the New York Giant's YouTube channel, featuring interviews with celebrity guests.

2021: ESPN Analyst

In 2021, Eli Manning joined ESPN as an NFL analyst and began co-hosting the Manningcast with his brother Peyton.

August 2022: Part Owner of NJ/NY Gotham FC

In August 2022, Eli Manning joined the ownership group of the NWSL's NJ/NY Gotham FC.

2022: Undercover at Penn State and Sports Emmy nomination

In 2022, Eli Manning went undercover as "Chad Powers" at Penn State University football tryouts for an ESPN project and was nominated for a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Personality/Emerging On-Air Talent.