Eli Manning snubbed from Hall of Fame in first-ballot voting.
Feb 2, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; NFC coach Eli Manning reacts after the 2025 Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning was left off the Pro Football Hall of Fame ballot in his first year of eligibility. The announcement came Thursday night during the NFL Honors awards show. Only four players made it to Canton this year: cornerback Eric Allen, defensive end Jared Allen, tight end Antonio Gates, and wide receiver Sterling Sharpe. This marks one of the smallest classes in two decades.
Manning’s exclusion caught many by surprise, though most expect he’ll eventually receive the gold jacket. Next year’s Hall of Fame class could feature names like Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Jason Witten, Frank Gore, and Philip Rivers. Brees and Fitzgerald are strong contenders for first-ballot induction, which could leave limited room for others.
Manning’s career: milestones and controversies
Eli Manning’s career is a tale of highs and head-scratchers. At Ole Miss, he set or tied 47 records, becoming one of the school’s most celebrated players. In 2004, he was the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. He spent 16 seasons with the New York Giants, starting 210 consecutive games—third-longest for any NFL quarterback.
During his tenure, Manning led the Giants to two Super Bowl victories, both against Tom Brady’s Patriots. He earned four Pro Bowl selections and was named NFL Man of the Year in 2016. His career totals include 57,000+ passing yards (11th all-time) and 366 touchdowns (10th all-time). The Giants and Ole Miss retired his No. 10 jersey, and he’s enshrined in multiple sports halls of fame, including the New York Giants Ring of Honor and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.
Despite these accolades, Manning never led the league in any major regular-season category, except interceptions—leading the NFL in picks three times (2007, 2010, 2013). His career averages of 3,564 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions per season don’t match up to other Hall of Fame quarterbacks.
Defining moments: Manning’s Super Bowl legacy
The argument for Manning’s Hall of Fame case rests largely on his playoff heroics. In 2007, he famously outdueled the undefeated Patriots, delivering “The Helmet Catch” to David Tyree—a moment forever etched in NFL lore. Even if you consider that play lucky, his second Super Bowl win in 2011 featured a pinpoint throw to Mario Manningham down the sideline—one of the most clutch throws in postseason history.
His overall playoff numbers stand at 8-4 with 2,815 yards, 18 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. However, three of those interceptions came in his first playoff game, meaning his performance improved significantly in later games.
Why voters may have held back
Hall of Fame voters have made puzzling decisions before—Terrell Owens had to wait despite being statistically dominant. In Manning’s case, his inconsistent regular-season play and “pedestrian” stats may have worked against him. Some voters also hold biases related to his famous last name, comparing him unfavorably to his older brother, Peyton Manning.
Luke Kuechly was another notable snub in this year’s voting, showing that first-ballot status remains elusive for many greats. Manning’s supporters argue that his two Super Bowl MVP performances are proof enough, but critics view his success as situational—crediting strong defenses and fortunate playoff runs.
Read More: Twitter explodes as Josh Allen wins NFL MVP over Lamar Jackson
Image: Imagn Images
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