The New York Giants announced on Friday that the team will retire Eli Manning's number 10 jersey. Furthermore, they will induct him into the Giants Ring of Honor, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Media.
The Giants opened up Manning's retirement press conference by showing some top highlights of his 16 years in New York. Giants co-owner John Mara then stepped up to the microphone and announced the jersey retirement news. Mara also shared a story about his father Wellington telling him after the final game of Manning's rookie season that he thought they finally had found their guy.
Manning's final game of his rookie year was the last one that Wellington ever attended before passing away in October of 2005. There is going to be a lot of debate moving forward about how many honors Manning deserves. But there is no argument with this one, as he is one of the best players in franchise history.
Manning led the Giants to a couple of Super Bowl victories, with both wins coming over the New England Patriots. Tom Brady was the losing quarterback in both of those games, and he had a little fun wishing Manning a happy retirement. Brady tweeted out congratulations to Manning but also said he wished he wouldn't have ever won a Super Bowl.
As the years go on, there is going to be more debates about if he should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But no matter what happens, no one can take away Manning's number being retired.