For most of his NFL career, Eli Manning was one of the most polarizing and controversial players.
The never-ending comparisons with his brother Peyton often left him looking bad, and while he did have some epic performances, he also had some head-scratching ones.
Nevertheless, even his biggest detractor should agree that, given what he accomplished, he should be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Notably, that includes former NFL QB Dan Orlovsky.
Talking on ESPN’s “First Take,” Orlovsky claimed that Manning was, by all means, a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
.@danorlovsky7 says it’s a “total lock” for Eli Manning to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer 🤝 pic.twitter.com/QX4XEqv7ii
— First Take (@FirstTake) November 21, 2024
He pointed out that he won two Super Bowls by mostly winning on the road and taking down Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and, of course, Tom Brady.
He spoiled the New England Patriots’ undefeated season and is one of just two quarterbacks to beat Brady in the Super Bowl.
Orlovsky believes that if you were to take his numbers out of the equation – which he also thinks are Hall of Fame-worthy – his Super Bowl runs alone are more than enough to grant him first-ballot Hall of Famer status.
Things weren’t always easy and pretty when Eli Manning was at the helm.
Then again, he was also a perennial top-ten quarterback for most of his career, and he accomplished way more than other players who most people could objectively argue were better than him.
We must give flowers where they’re due, and Manning deserves his Gold Jacket.
