Super Bowl MVP, Eli Manning speaks to a sold out crowd at the Hall of Fame.

After much anticipation, Super Bowl MVP, Eli Manning spoke to an energetic sold out crowd of nearly one thousand at the College Football Hall of Fame yesterday afternoon. As the fourth speaker in the 2008 KeyBank Gridiron Legends Luncheon line-up, Manning entertained the audience and thrilled fans of all ages.

The Manning Family has a long-standing involvement with the National Football Foundation (NFF), and with questions of family traditions and rivalries lurking in the near future, Eli began the luncheon thanking all of his fans and took a minute to discuss how important the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame are to his family. “I am honored to be here speaking at the College Football Hall of Fame,” says Manning, “My family is grateful for their involvement with the organization and we are pleased to take advantage of any opportunity we have to help support the efforts of the foundation.

Archie Manning, Eli’s Father, was inaugurated as the organization’s chairman earlier this year. Archie, a 1989 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, has served as an NFF board member for 18 years and is actively involved in the Allstate Sugar Bowl Chapter in his native New Orleans. Brother Peyton was the recipient of the 1997 NFF Draddy Trophy and Eli was named a high school scholar-athlete in 1999 and was honored in 2003 as an NFF National Scholar-Athlete while a senior at Ole Miss.

As the youngest Manning, Eli followed in his father’s footsteps by playing at the University of Mississippi from 2000-03. While at Ole Miss, he set or tied 47 single-game, season and career records, with many of the marks belonging to his father. His career numbers include 81 touchdown passes and 10,119 yards and he placed third in Heisman voting.

At the luncheon Manning made a special mention of the integral role his mother Olivia had on holding the family together. “That woman is going to football heaven,” said Eli, when discussing how it must have been hard for his mother to deal with Hall of Fame husband and three very active athletes growing up. “She has always supported each and every one of our endeavors and we would be worthless without her. She is the backbone of our family.”

In 2001, Peyton Manning also spoke to a sold out crowd of about the same size. When faced with questions about rivalries between him and his older brothers Cooper and Peyton, Eli just smiled and said, “Peyton is not here, so now is the time for me to take advantage of picking on him.” After a few laughs he explained that they have a great relationship. There is no competition: we are always supportive of one another and take every opportunity to help each other. We are always rooting for each other and try to avoid the comparisons.” Later he joked, “I must say though, my Super Bowl ring is much nicer looking than his.”

As the first pick of the 2004 NFL Draft, the San Diego Chargers immediately traded Eli to the New York Giants. Reflecting back, Eli chuckled, and told the audience about a ten-year-old boy that seemingly had something to do with the trade. He explained, “I was in between media interviews discussing my new position with the Chargers, when the door slammed open and in walked a young boy screaming, ‘Manning’s been traded to the Giants.’ I looked to my PR guy and asked had he heard anything about this. He said no and immediately began making phone calls. A few minutes later he says, ‘The kid is right, you’ve been traded to the Giants.’ Later that day I found that kid, signed his hat and thanked him because somehow he made it all happen. I don’t know how, but I still thank that kid.”

After joining the Giants, he began his rookie year learning from veteran Kurt Warner, claiming the starting position late in the season. The next two years Manning led the Giants to playoff appearances, but the team lost their first round games. This past year, Manning led the Giants to an improbable Super Bowl victory over the heavily favored New England Patriots, following a string of dramatic playoff road victories as a wild card team.

Now married to his college sweetheart, Abby McGrew, and with a Super Bowl ring and MVP award under his belt, Eli Manning is having a pretty impressive 2008. “The Hall of Fame feels privileged to have brought such an extraordinary person and athlete to share the stories of an already remarkable career,” said CFHOF Executive Director Lisa Malin.

To see highlights from the luncheon click here.

To watch the entire luncheon in a four part series please click the following links:
Part 1 click here.

Part 2 click here.

Part 3 click here.

Part 4 click here.

The College Football Hall of Fame is in the twelfth year presenting the KeyBank Gridiron Legends Luncheon Series. There are two luncheons remaining this year: Coach Lloyd Carr (Michigan) on August 6, 2008 and Pete Dawkins (Army) on September 16, 2008. If you are interested in tickets to the remaining luncheon please call 574.235.5717.