Giants legend Eli Manning discusses Hall of Fame candidacy

New York Giants legend Eli Manning tossed out the ceremonial first pitch ahead of Sunday's game between the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees, capping off a weekend that saw multiple other former NFL stars inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Manning later appeared on the YES Network broadcast of the game and was asked about the fact that he'll be eligible for the Hall of Fame next year.

"I try not to think about it," Manning explained during the interview, as shared by Kevin Manahan of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "There’s nothing I can do at this point that can help me or hurt me, and so, I enjoyed my 16 years. If I get in, it’d be a great honor to go in amongst that group of guys, some of the best players in the world. If I never get in, it’s not going to change my feelings about the game or what I accomplished or what I didn’t accomplish."

Manning's Hall of Fame candidacy became somewhat of a hot-button topic well before he retired following the 2019 season. While he was never considered to be the NFL's best overall quarterback, he holds just about every significant career passing record in Giants history and famously earned Most Valuable Player Award honors for New York's Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI victories over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

"I have great friendships, great players and coaches and great fans, and that’s what it’s all about," Manning continued. "So if I get invited to go into the [Pro Football Hall of Fame], it’d be a great honor, obviously."

It was back in 2021 when Peyton Manning, Eli's brother, delivered a tremendous Hall of Fame speech for the ages. On Sunday, Eli was able to joke about not wanting Peyton to be the only one among them enshrined in Canton.

"No doubt, that’s really what it’s all about," Eli mentioned. "You don’t want him to have too much bragging rights over me."

Passionate Giants fans would likely argue it should be a matter of when, not if, Eli Manning receives a gold jacket to match Peyton's. On Sunday, Eli was able to reflect upon being a one-club man from the 2004 draft through the final play of the 2019 campaign.

"It’s just an honor to be a part of this organization," Manning said about featuring for the Giants, per Reice Shipley of Awful Announcing. "...The Giants and the Yankees have a great history together. Loved my 16 years with the Giants, and I’m honored to come here and throw out the first pitch today. That was a real milestone for me."

On Saturday, NFL Media's Adam Rank named Eli Manning "the lock" among candidates for the 2025 Hall of Fame class.

"There is no debate here," Rank wrote.

Fans will find out this coming winter if Rank is correct.