Two-time Super Bowl champ Eli Manning is headed for the Hall of Fame ballot in 2025, but not everyone’s happy with the decision. Sports commentator Dan Patrick just threw a curveball into Manning’s Canton, Ohio, dreams!
While the former New York Giants QB’s clutch performances and signature “Manning Face” have cemented his spot in NFL folklore, Patrick isn’t really sold on him being a first-ballot lock.
Dan Patrick Challenges Eli Manning’s First-Ballot Hall of Fame Credentials
Manning’s Hall of Fame buzz just hit a snag, and Patrick’s leading the charge. On the “Dan Patrick Show,” the sportscaster pulled no punches: “Let me start with Eli Manning — because I don’t think he’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer.” Ouch.
Manning’s résumé includes two Super Bowl runs, two Super Bowl MVPs, and the mic drop of beating Tom Brady twice in the big dance. They also defeated the undefeated New England Patriots in 2007. Patrick gave credit where it was due, calling those two years “great.”
But he didn’t hold back on Manning’s overall body of work. Patrick said, “He’s going to get into the Hall of Fame. And now, once again, we love Eli, he’s been on the show. My job is not to like you, my job is to cover you. Eli Manning had two great years, he didn’t win any other playoff games, but in those two years, he won Super Bowls, and he beat the Patriots.”
The ex-Giants star’s career record of 117-117 matched his legacy’s split narrative. Is he the QB who thrived under pressure or a middle-of-the-pack passer with flashes of brilliance? Sure, 8,119 passing attempts, 4,895 passing completions, 57,023 passing yards (60.3% completion rate), and a 366-244 TD-INT ratio are impressive, but Patrick suggests those numbers alone don’t scream “first ballot.”
“That’s great having that on your résumé,” Patrick pointed out. But what’s the real kicker?
“His numbers, they’re OK during the regular season, and the only category he led the league in three times, interceptions.”
Talk about a brutal stat line. The twist is that fans are still divided. For some, the Super Bowl magic is enough to fast-track his bust into Canton. For others, consistency (or lack thereof) matters just as much.
As 2025 inches closer, one thing’s for sure: Manning’s Hall of Fame bid will keep stirring debates, hot takes, and plenty of side-eyes from analysts like Patrick. Is he a first-ballot lock? Not so fast.
Manning, Derek Jeter Join Tiger Woods’ TGL Golf League Investment
Manning and Derek Jeter are taking a swing at a new kind of investment: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s indoor golf league, TGL. Set to debut on Jan. 7, 2025, the league will feature high-tech, PGA Tour-backed competition on ESPN and ESPN+.
Joining the star-studded lineup of investors are athletes like CC Sabathia, Michael Strahan, John McEnroe, and even Jimmy Fallon. Manning sees the potential, saying, “There have been a lot of exciting trends in golf.”
The league’s first match will showcase Steve Cohen’s New York Golf Club, promising a fresh and thrilling golf experience for fans.