Eli Manning Triumphs Over Dolphins in Proper Sendoff and a Likely Goodbye
Eli Manning/ Getty Images
(IBEXNews) - George Schmidt teaches fourth grade Monday through Friday at Forrest Elementary School in Fair Lawn, N.J.
But on Sunday mornings for the last 15 years, Schmidt has stood as a security guard outside the Giants’ locker room. And that meant greeting Eli Manning before every home game for most of his 16-year NFL career.
“Good morning. Merry Christmas,” Manning said Sunday with a smile, switching his garment bag to his left hand to shake Schmidt’s.
“He’s always been a gentleman,” Schmidt, 57, told the Daily News after holding the door for Manning. “Even since he was a kid and he first got here.”
Manning’s consistency in how he has represented the Giants, treated people, and endured without ever missing an NFL start due to injury are rare qualities in any walk of life.
Put two Super Bowl MVPs on top and that is why Manning deserved all of Sunday’s standing ovations, including an emotional and orchestrated fourth quarter curtain call that indicated this must be his final career start: a 36-20 win over the Dolphins.
"Love you guys. I appreciate it,” Manning, 38, told the team in the locker room after drawing his career record back to .500 (117-117). “There's not a better feeling than a win in the locker room on a Sunday, boys. I appreciate this one.”
Nothing meant more to Manning, though, than walking off the field into the tunnel and taking some hectic but memorable photos with his wife Abby, daughters Ava, Lucy and Caroline, and 10-month old son Charlie.
“They didn’t say much,” Manning said of his kids. “I think they were a little overwhelmed. A lot of cameras, a lot of people. I wanted to get a little family pic after the game. Got one last year. Have a new addition with the little guy. So I thought if we could do it quietly and low key — obviously that wasn’t quite the case (laughs). But it’ll still be a good one to have.”
Manning granted “maybe” he was crying with 1:50 to play when head coach Pat Shurmur took him out for backup Alex Tanney. Manning felt “awkward” and “not real comfortable” on the sideline with his image projected on the Jumbotron. Cheers rained down. He teared up, nodded, and gave the fans a thumbs up.
“That standing ovation gave everybody chills,” said Sterling Shepard (nine catches, 111 yards).
But Manning, whose parents Archie and Olivia watched from a suite on Sunday, was even more emotional explaining why the photo with his kids meant so much.
“It’s special to me that my kids get to come and watch some games,” he said. “I don’t remember my dad playing at all. He retired when I was four years old. My brothers have memories. They always kind of talked about it in the locker room and around the games, and I don’t remember it. So I try to bring my kids around as much as possible, bring them to some games.
“I know my youngest, my son, won’t remember any of it,” he added. “But we’ll at least have a picture to show him one day.”
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) waits for the ball in the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) (Adam Hunger/AP)
Manning completed 20-of-28 passes for 283 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. He hit Golden Tate for a 51-yard score, and breakout rookie Darius Slayton likely caught Manning’s final NFL TD pass: a five-yarder with 11:53 left in the third quarter.
“It’s probably something I won’t be able to appreciate until I get older and look back,” Slayton said, “but it’s definitely special for me, being a rookie, playing with a Hall of Fame quarterback.”
There were signs everywhere, though, that Manning and those around him knew this was his final game as Daniel Jones (ankle) waited in the wings. Tate immediately handed the ball on his TD catch to Manning, and a Giants staffer rushed to grab Slayton’s, as well.
“Of course I’d like to (continue playing),” Manning said. “I know they want to get (Jones) back and get him more experience and more reps. Whatever I’m asked to do, I'll do it.”
Jones hurried out postgame but said of Manning: “He’s done a lot and accomplished a lot. It’s a pleasure to be able to play with him.”
Teammates said Manning gave a rare pre-game speech that fired them up, concluding with “let’s go out there and get a ‘W,’” according to Shepard.
“I don’t think a pre-game speech has won a football game before,” Manning joked. “I still don’t think it has. But just said a little something to get them ready.”
Ever the prankster, he also ended his postgame speech by trying to give the players a Victory Monday day off, saying: “I’ll see ya’ll Wednesday!” And Shurmur actually obliged.
The players won’t have to report to the facility again until Wednesday.
“Typically I don’t do that,” said Shurmur, grateful to snap a nine-game losing streak that is tied for worst in franchise history. “But today I won’t argue with him.”
The Giants (3-11) still hold the No. 2 pick in April’s draft behind the Cincinnati Bengals (1-13), though they now have the same record as the Dolphins and next week’s opponent, Washington.
Sunday wasn’t about the future, though. It was about Manning, and one day.
“I felt honored from all the fans today and their support coming out,” he said. “They were here early, cheering from the get-go and a bunch of chants. I appreciate their support these last 16 years.”
He threw in a nice reminder to the doubters on CBS immediately after the win on the field: “I was glad to give them a couple Super Bowls to cheer on.”
But mostly, he soaked it all up like a veteran who knows he is hanging them up and doesn’t expect to play in Week 17 here against the Eagles.
“I don’t know what the future is. I don’t know what lies next week let alone down the road,” Manning said. “But the fans ... were chanting my name from the first snap to the end. I appreciate that. I appreciate that always. It’s a special day. A special win. And one I’ll remember.”
