Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning had an interesting way of encouraging students in the Class of 2020.

Manning used his final year as New York's backup to suggest students should embrace “awkward situations” such as those forced upon them by the coronavirus pandemic (via Paul Schwartz of the New York Post):

“You see, I don’t mind being in awkward situations or doing things I don’t necessarily want to do,’’ Manning said. “Like becoming the Giants backup quarterback after winning two Super Bowls and walking away with the MVP. Embracing awkward is worth cultivating, because life, like this graduation, rarely goes as planned.’’

It is fitting for Manning to suggest life “rarely goes as planned.” His career began under even more awkward pretenses than how it ended.

Manning was the presumptive No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. But there was just one problem: Eli did not want to play for the Chargers, the team that owned the top selection.

The Chargers ignored Eli's wishes, taking him with the top pick anyway. What ensued was one of the strangest scenes in draft history.

Manning refused to put on his hat or even crack much of a smile upon being selected, and he was booed while on stage.

Fortunately for Eli, former Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi pounced at the chance to land the star quarterback, trading No. 4 pick (Philip Rivers) to San Diego in exchange for Manning's services.

Manning would go on to win two Super Bowls with New York, and he stands a chance of being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Considering the “awkwardness” of his career bookends, Eli is a pretty good spokesman in terms of offering some positive reinforcement for graduates.