BY JONNY WALKER, SPORTS DIRECTOR
Keep Eli Manning out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Voters have inducted 10 modern-era quarterbacks into the Hall of Fame this century. Inducting Manning would require voters to lower the bar each of those 10 hurdled en route to football immortality.
In 16 seasons as quarterback of the New York Giants, Manning made four Pro Bowls. Every quarterback inducted this century made more — except for Kurt Warner, who needed half the career starts to reach the same number of Pro Bowls.
In 16 seasons, Manning never made an Associated Press All-Pro team, received an AP MVP vote or even received an AP Offensive Player of the Year vote. Every quarterback inducted this century checked at least two of those three boxes.
In 16 seasons, the only meaningful statistical category Manning ever led the league in was interceptions thrown — something he did three times. Every quarterback inducted this century led the league at least once in a category that actually contributes to winning, such as passing yards, passing touchdowns or completion percentage.
However, proponents of Manning’s Hall of Fame case point to his all-time ranks in key passing categories. Manning sits 10th on the NFL’s career passing-yards and passing-touchdowns lists. But Manning’s career totals represent a player propped up by durability and longevity, not a player who neared the pinnacle of his position.
Proponents point to Manning’s two Super Bowl victories. Manning twice upset the NFL’s GOAT on the game’s biggest stage — twice earning Super Bowl MVP honors. But Manning’s Super Bowls place his resume more in line with that of Jim Plunkett than any of the 10 quarterbacks inducted into the Hall of Fame this century.
Inducting Manning would require voters to ignore 16 years of context in favor of just two moments. Don’t disrespect the legacies of inductees one through 10 with inductee 11.
walkerjc20@bonaventure.edu
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