Mike Lizzi / CC
Louisiana native and longtime New York Giants QB Eli Manning announces his retirement today after 16 seasons in the NFL. Manning attended Newman High School in New Orleans. Newman coach and longtime family friend Nelson Stewart says the accolades Manning has received is on brand with the young Eli.
“Winning the Bart Starr Award, he’s been the NFL Man of the Year, I think that’s what he’s about. He’s just a pro and it’s just hard to find an athlete, not just in football, of that level of character,” said Stewart.
Manning has two Super Bowl rings for his time in the league. Stewart says Manning was calm under pressure and a hard worker.
“People call him Easy E because he was not easy-going, but he was calm, he was able to stay focused. He was worked hard and one of the things I’ve always heard about him is that he is one of the first in the building and he’d work late,” said Stewart.
Stewart has no doubt that Manning is a future Hall of Famer.
“I think everyone can overanalyze and look and pick at things, but to me, he’s one of the all time greats, his career stands on it’s own and I’ve got no question that he’ll end up in Canton,” said Stewart.
Eli’s brother Peyton played 18 seasons in the league before retiring in 2016 and their father Archie played 13 seasons, much of that time as QB for the Saints.
