MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Michel, Hopson, Boyd, Blount, DeBar, Kirby, Chassaniol, Parks, Younger, Doty, Blackmon, Blackwell, Caughman, Fillingane, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, McCaughn, McMahan, Norwood, Simmons (12th), Sojourner, Sparks, Suber, Thomas, Witherspoon, Simmons (13th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE TIMELESS LEGACY OF FORMER OLE MISS RECORD-BREAKING QUARTERBACK ELI MANNING ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER 16 SEASONS AND TWO SUPER BOWLS WITH THE NEW YORK GIANTS.
WHEREAS, it is the end of an era for the New York Giants as former Ole Miss record-breaking quarterback Eli Manning announced his retirement on January 23, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Eli Manning, 39, just completed his 16th season in the league, all of them with the Giants. Manning helped lead New York to two Super Bowl Titles (XLII and XLVI) and won the game's Most Valuable Player in each. Manning, who finished his career with a 60.3% completion rate for 57,023 yards with 366 touchdowns and 244 interceptions, finishes his career ranked seventh all-time in both passing yards and touchdown passes; and
WHEREAS, "For 16 seasons, Eli Manning defined what it is to be a New York Giant both on and off the field," Giants Co-owner John Mara said in a statement. "Eli is our only two-time Super Bowl MVP and one of the very best players in our franchise's history. He represented our franchise as a consummate professional with dignity and accountability. It meant something to Eli to be the Giants' quarterback, and it meant even more to us. We are beyond grateful for his contributions to our organization and look forward to celebrating his induction into the Giants Ring of Honor in the near future"; and
WHEREAS, Elisha Nelson Manning, IV, (Eli) will go down in NFL history as the quarterback who defeated Bill Belichick, Brady and the otherwise untouchable New England Patriots in Super Bowls, not once, but twice; and
WHEREAS, the record will show that he once started 222 consecutive games at quarterback over 14 seasons, a total surpassed by only two people in NFL history, Brett Favre and Phillip Rivers (elite company); and
WHEREAS, during his years with the Rebels at Ole Miss, Manning set or tied 45 single-game, season, and career records. His career numbers include 10,119 passing yards (fifth on the SEC career list), 81 touchdown passes (third on the SEC career list), and a passer rating of 137.7 (tied for sixth on the SEC career list). As his senior year came to a close, Manning won many awards, including the Maxwell Award as the nation's best all-around player, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Award, the Sporting News Radio Socrates Award, and the SEC Most Valuable Player Award. He was also a candidate for the 2003 Heisman Trophy, finishing third in the voting; and
WHEREAS, what statistics will not show is that what Eli
has done off the field has been even more impressive than what he did on the field. Charities in New York, New Jersey, Louisiana and, especially Mississippi, have Eli and his wife Abby to thank for millions upon millions of dollars of much-needed funding. Here in Mississippi, the Eli Manning Children's Clinic opened in 2009, thanks to the leadership and support of the Manning couple, who raised more than $2.5 Million to help get it started. They have been Honorary Co-Chairs of a Campaign for Children's of Mississippi, led by Joe and Kathy Sanderson, which has raised more than $76 Million to date. Furthermore, the Manning Family Fund for a Healthier Mississippi has provided almost $1.3 Million in support of the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC); and
WHEREAS, Manning was born in New Orleans, the youngest of three boys of Olivia and NFL quarterback Elisha Archibald "Archie" Manning III, both natives of Mississippi. He is a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity as was his father, and he was named Sigma Nu Athlete of the Year in 2001 and 2003. In 2008, he married Abby McGrew of Nashville, Tennessee. Eli and Abby have three daughters and a son; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the football accomplishments and charitable contributions of a Mississippi legend who has brought honor to his university, his professional team and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the timeless legacy of former Ole Miss record-breaking quarterback Eli Manning on the occasion of his retirement after 16 seasons and two Super Bowls with the New York Giants, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Legislature for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Eli Manning, forwarded to the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.