Eli Manning may be retired, but in New England, his name still stirs up some very real emotions-and not the warm, fuzzy kind. That much was clear during the pregame festivities at Super Bowl 60, where a celebration of past Super Bowl MVPs turned into a reminder of one of the Patriots’ most painful rivalries.
As the NFL rolled out a star-studded lineup of legends-Steve Young, Tom Brady, Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Lynn Swann, Joe Montana, and current Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts-fans at Levi’s Stadium were treated to a nostalgic stroll through football greatness. But when Eli Manning stepped out from a photo booth to join the group, the mood shifted. The boos were loud, unmistakable, and very clearly directed at the former Giants quarterback.
And just to make sure it wasn’t a case of general crowd restlessness, the next man introduced-Eli’s older brother Peyton-got a thunderous ovation. The contrast was striking.
Eli, to his credit, took it all in stride, flashing a knowing smirk as he made his way to the stage. He’s been here before, and he knows exactly why the boos are still coming.
For Patriots fans, Manning isn’t just another quarterback. He’s the guy who denied them perfection. Twice.
It was Manning who, back in Super Bowl XLII, engineered the drive that ended New England’s bid for a historic undefeated season. That 17-14 win by the Giants is still one of the most shocking upsets in NFL history.
Manning’s late-game heroics-including that unforgettable escape-and-heave to David Tyree-are etched into Super Bowl lore. For the Patriots and their fans, it’s a memory they’d rather forget.
Four years later, Manning did it again. In Super Bowl XLVI, he was surgical-completing 30 of 40 passes for 296 yards and a touchdown-as he led another fourth-quarter comeback to seal a 21-17 win.
Two Super Bowls. Two MVPs.
Both at the expense of the Patriots.
So yeah, the boos make sense.
What’s perhaps more surprising is that, despite those two MVP performances and a career that includes over 57,000 passing yards and 366 touchdowns, Manning was once again left out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He didn’t reach the required threshold of 40 out of 50 votes for induction this year.
For some, that’s a head-scratcher. For others, it’s a reflection of a career that, while full of iconic moments, was also marked by inconsistency.
Still, when it comes to big moments-especially against the biggest dynasty of the modern era-Eli Manning delivered. And that’s exactly why Patriots fans still can’t stand him.