1 00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:02,360 Speaker 1: Good morning, and thank you for being here. This is 2 00:00:02,400 --> 00:00:06,400 Speaker 1: certainly a day of very mixed emotions for us. It's 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:09,159 Speaker 1: sad in one sense because we're seeing the end of 4 00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:12,920 Speaker 1: an incredible playing career and saying goodbye to someone who 5 00:00:12,920 --> 00:00:15,800 Speaker 1: has been everything you could ask a player to be 6 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 1: both on and off the field for the last sixteen years. 7 00:00:19,840 --> 00:00:21,880 Speaker 1: Yet we're also very happy because we get to be 8 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:25,959 Speaker 1: here to celebrate that incredible career, and we're also able 9 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:29,040 Speaker 1: to witness one of the greatest players in franchise history 10 00:00:29,560 --> 00:00:31,640 Speaker 1: be able to leave the game on his own terms, 11 00:00:32,040 --> 00:00:35,040 Speaker 1: having played his whole career as a Giant, something that 12 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:37,760 Speaker 1: doesn't always happen in this business, and if anybody deserved 13 00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:41,760 Speaker 1: that opportunity, it's Eli Manning. For the last sixteen years, 14 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:44,480 Speaker 1: Eli has meant so much to all of us here 15 00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:47,640 Speaker 1: at the Giants and also to our fans. We all 16 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:49,800 Speaker 1: know about the two Super Bowl m vps and all 17 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:53,040 Speaker 1: of the great performances on the field, but just as 18 00:00:53,080 --> 00:00:56,960 Speaker 1: important was the way he conducted himself on and off 19 00:00:57,000 --> 00:01:01,040 Speaker 1: the field as the consummate professional, always with dignity, always 20 00:01:01,040 --> 00:01:04,400 Speaker 1: with class. We all have so many memories of Eli, 21 00:01:04,680 --> 00:01:06,720 Speaker 1: and I just want to quickly mention two of mine. 22 00:01:06,760 --> 00:01:09,440 Speaker 1: I certainly remember the days leading up to the two 23 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:12,679 Speaker 1: thousand and four NFL Draft when I was constantly in 24 00:01:12,760 --> 00:01:15,240 Speaker 1: and out of Ernie of Corsi's office. We're on the 25 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:18,039 Speaker 1: phone with him hoping we could pull off that trade 26 00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:20,800 Speaker 1: with San Diego. And what a trade had turned out 27 00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:24,679 Speaker 1: to be, probably the best trade in franchise history. ELI 28 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:27,360 Speaker 1: became the face of the franchise, a Super Bowl m 29 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:30,759 Speaker 1: v P, and as fine or representative as this team 30 00:01:30,760 --> 00:01:33,840 Speaker 1: has ever had. Ernie, who's here today, I just want 31 00:01:33,880 --> 00:01:36,040 Speaker 1: to thank you for having the foresight and the patients 32 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:38,360 Speaker 1: and the guts to pull off that trade and help 33 00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 1: build those Super Bowl teams. I also remember the last 34 00:01:42,200 --> 00:01:46,720 Speaker 1: game of the two thousand and four season, Eli's rookie year, 35 00:01:47,520 --> 00:01:49,120 Speaker 1: when he took us down the field at the end 36 00:01:49,160 --> 00:01:51,720 Speaker 1: of the game in the closing seconds to beat Dallas. 37 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:56,560 Speaker 1: It was the last game my father ever saw, and 38 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:58,800 Speaker 1: I can remember walking to the locker room with him 39 00:01:58,880 --> 00:02:02,600 Speaker 1: afterwards and him saying to me, I think we found 40 00:02:02,600 --> 00:02:05,960 Speaker 1: our guy, and how right he was. I want to 41 00:02:05,960 --> 00:02:09,440 Speaker 1: acknowledge a number of Ellis passing present teammates, a lot 42 00:02:09,480 --> 00:02:12,120 Speaker 1: of whom are here today, all of whom played a 43 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:14,520 Speaker 1: huge part in his career. I can't mention all of 44 00:02:14,520 --> 00:02:16,920 Speaker 1: you because I know I'll forget somebody, but thank you, 45 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:20,560 Speaker 1: thank you for being here. And Tom Coughlin, our great 46 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:23,280 Speaker 1: coach who led us to those two Super Bowls and 47 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:26,680 Speaker 1: who was so instrumental in eli Of success. I also 48 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 1: want to acknowledge my partner, Steve Tiss, who wanted desperately 49 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:32,320 Speaker 1: to be here today but is under the weather and 50 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:35,480 Speaker 1: was unable to fly. Fortunately, Laurie Tish is here today 51 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:38,639 Speaker 1: to represent the Tisch family Eli. Steve did tell me 52 00:02:39,560 --> 00:02:42,720 Speaker 1: that he has some movie roles in store for you. UM. 53 00:02:42,919 --> 00:02:45,240 Speaker 1: You obviously made an impression on him with your fine 54 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:48,240 Speaker 1: acting and all those commercials that you did. UM. He 55 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:52,480 Speaker 1: specifically mentioned, by the way, UH co starring an Equalizer 56 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:56,520 Speaker 1: three with Denzel Washington. So I guess I missed Equalizer 57 00:02:56,520 --> 00:02:58,280 Speaker 1: one and two, but I'm sure going to catch number 58 00:02:58,320 --> 00:03:01,519 Speaker 1: three if you're in it. UM. I also want to 59 00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:05,360 Speaker 1: take this opportunity to thank um Olivia and Archie Manning 60 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:10,480 Speaker 1: UH for raising such an outstanding son, and to Abby 61 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:14,160 Speaker 1: for being so supportive of Eli for all these years. 62 00:03:14,480 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 1: We would not be standing here today celebrating his great 63 00:03:18,080 --> 00:03:22,240 Speaker 1: career if not for everything you guys did. And finally, Eli, 64 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:24,799 Speaker 1: one more, can I say thank you for everything you've 65 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:28,360 Speaker 1: done for the New York Giants for the last sixteen years, 66 00:03:28,360 --> 00:03:30,720 Speaker 1: for being such a role model for our players, for 67 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:33,960 Speaker 1: our fans, and for everything you've done in the community. 68 00:03:35,080 --> 00:03:37,160 Speaker 1: We have this game ball to present to you, which 69 00:03:37,200 --> 00:03:40,280 Speaker 1: attempts to list all of your accomplishments. I'm not sure 70 00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:42,880 Speaker 1: we got them all all in there, but you will 71 00:03:42,880 --> 00:03:47,080 Speaker 1: always be the ultimate Giant and we would be honored 72 00:03:47,240 --> 00:03:50,000 Speaker 1: to induct you into our Ring of honor next season. 73 00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:53,600 Speaker 1: And please know this, no giant whenever we are number 74 00:03:53,600 --> 00:04:14,560 Speaker 1: ten again h m M, good morning, and thanks for coming. 75 00:04:16,640 --> 00:04:20,680 Speaker 1: This sport has very few real farewells. But as the 76 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 1: clock round down on our win against the Dolphins this season, 77 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:27,360 Speaker 1: I ran to my favorite place in the stadium, the tunnel. 78 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:31,279 Speaker 1: I waved to our loyal fans, and then Abby and 79 00:04:31,320 --> 00:04:34,600 Speaker 1: my kids ran out to meet me. That was my 80 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:40,320 Speaker 1: farewell in a moment I'll cherish forever. There won't be 81 00:04:40,360 --> 00:04:44,920 Speaker 1: any more tunnel moments for me, and I'll truly miss them. 82 00:04:44,960 --> 00:04:47,960 Speaker 1: I'll miss standing in the shadows, staring out into the 83 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:51,719 Speaker 1: field before a game, surrounded by my teammates and knowing 84 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:55,520 Speaker 1: all the hard work we put in. I'll miss hearing 85 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:59,479 Speaker 1: the first roar of the crowd, triggering the knowledge that 86 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:02,560 Speaker 1: we had and given one more opportunity to go win 87 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:08,720 Speaker 1: a football game. It's impossible to explain the satisfaction, actually 88 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:13,800 Speaker 1: the joy I've experienced being a Giant from the very 89 00:05:13,839 --> 00:05:17,800 Speaker 1: first moment. I did it my way. I couldn't be 90 00:05:17,839 --> 00:05:22,039 Speaker 1: someone other than who I am. Undoubtedly I would have 91 00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:25,640 Speaker 1: made the fans, the media, even the front office more 92 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:29,400 Speaker 1: comfortable if I was a more raw ra guy, but 93 00:05:30,040 --> 00:05:33,680 Speaker 1: that's not me. Ultimately, I choose to believe that my 94 00:05:33,720 --> 00:05:37,320 Speaker 1: teammates and the fans learned to appreciate that they knew 95 00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:42,359 Speaker 1: what they got was pure, unadulterated ELI. I don't have 96 00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:45,640 Speaker 1: any regrets, and I won't look in the rear view 97 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:49,480 Speaker 1: mirror what we have liked to one more games or championships. 98 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:52,560 Speaker 1: Of course we would have. There are tough times that 99 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:55,560 Speaker 1: I learned and grew from, but I always knew the 100 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:58,880 Speaker 1: level of effort and sacrifice that my teammates and coaches made. 101 00:05:59,640 --> 00:06:04,040 Speaker 1: We did all we could do every week. I choose 102 00:06:04,080 --> 00:06:08,080 Speaker 1: to leave this game with only positive memories. Why harp 103 00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:11,159 Speaker 1: on the not so proud moments. Where is the value 104 00:06:11,160 --> 00:06:14,560 Speaker 1: in that? If they are going to be endless echoes, 105 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:19,640 Speaker 1: choose the good ones. For now, I'll focus on the touchdowns, 106 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:25,000 Speaker 1: the winds, celebrations with teammates, family and friends, and sharing 107 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:27,039 Speaker 1: a cold beer in the back of a bust after 108 00:06:27,080 --> 00:06:30,080 Speaker 1: a big game. I'll remember the O t A s 109 00:06:30,080 --> 00:06:35,640 Speaker 1: and training camps. I'll remember the special people that make 110 00:06:35,720 --> 00:06:39,479 Speaker 1: this organization what it is. During the past sixteen years, 111 00:06:39,960 --> 00:06:43,679 Speaker 1: many of the faces have not changed from the film people, 112 00:06:43,880 --> 00:06:48,000 Speaker 1: the equipment managers, the community relations department, and those in 113 00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:51,880 Speaker 1: the cafeteria, in the training room. Each of them have 114 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:55,880 Speaker 1: become like family to me. I've watched that they've gotten married, 115 00:06:55,920 --> 00:06:59,520 Speaker 1: and I've seen their kids grow. I'll miss the people, 116 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:04,280 Speaker 1: and I'll miss the life experiences that we've shared. I'll 117 00:07:04,320 --> 00:07:09,600 Speaker 1: remember conversations with coaches, game planning and meeting rooms. Those 118 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 1: are unique memories that I treasure and ones I'll relive 119 00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:17,840 Speaker 1: with teammates for decades from now. When you win championships, 120 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:22,560 Speaker 1: you have a special, unbreakable buying with teammates. When you 121 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:24,200 Speaker 1: see them, you give him a hug and you hold 122 00:07:24,200 --> 00:07:26,960 Speaker 1: it just a little bit longer. Because of that unique 123 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:32,600 Speaker 1: connection with those special people, many became friends that will 124 00:07:32,680 --> 00:07:37,119 Speaker 1: last a lifetime. I was excited to come to New York. 125 00:07:38,040 --> 00:07:41,720 Speaker 1: When I make a decision, I'm determined to make it work. 126 00:07:42,680 --> 00:07:45,680 Speaker 1: Abby and I became active members in our community, whether 127 00:07:45,720 --> 00:07:49,560 Speaker 1: it's parent volunteers for kids, sports teams, or supporters of 128 00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:53,560 Speaker 1: local charities like Tackle Kids Cancer, March of Dimes, and 129 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:57,560 Speaker 1: guiding guys for the Blind. I don't have a single regret, 130 00:07:57,960 --> 00:08:00,480 Speaker 1: and ultimately I think that it worked out for you 131 00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:06,440 Speaker 1: and for me. We supported our community in the past, today, 132 00:08:06,800 --> 00:08:09,400 Speaker 1: and since we're gonna be sticking around here, will continue 133 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:15,480 Speaker 1: to support this community in the future. It's rare to 134 00:08:15,520 --> 00:08:20,080 Speaker 1: have the privilege of playing an entire career with one organization. 135 00:08:20,840 --> 00:08:23,520 Speaker 1: I'm proud to be one of the few, but even 136 00:08:23,560 --> 00:08:28,600 Speaker 1: more so that it was as a Giant. There are 137 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:31,560 Speaker 1: a few people that I want to thank, of course, 138 00:08:31,880 --> 00:08:34,880 Speaker 1: the mayor and the Tische family. You can be confident 139 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:38,560 Speaker 1: that no one has loved and appreciated wearing the Giants 140 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:41,560 Speaker 1: uniform more than I have, and that will never change. 141 00:08:43,320 --> 00:08:46,880 Speaker 1: To Ernie a Corsi, sixteen years ago, Ernie made the 142 00:08:46,920 --> 00:08:49,440 Speaker 1: trade that made me a Giant for life. Thank you 143 00:08:49,520 --> 00:08:54,000 Speaker 1: so much. To coach Tom Coughlin, Thanks for teaching me 144 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:57,720 Speaker 1: the work ethic, the discipline, and the value of team 145 00:08:57,800 --> 00:09:02,640 Speaker 1: above all else mentality. To coach Kevin Gilbride, thanks for 146 00:09:02,720 --> 00:09:05,880 Speaker 1: always having my back and trusting and supporting me through 147 00:09:05,880 --> 00:09:09,319 Speaker 1: my entire career. And of course to all my teammates. 148 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:12,840 Speaker 1: If I named them all, it would take forever and 149 00:09:12,840 --> 00:09:15,840 Speaker 1: no one would recognize me if I did. What I 150 00:09:15,840 --> 00:09:18,520 Speaker 1: will say is that the best thing about playing all 151 00:09:18,559 --> 00:09:21,439 Speaker 1: these years is the number of teammates that I can 152 00:09:21,480 --> 00:09:25,600 Speaker 1: call real friends. And of all those friends, I'm lucky 153 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:28,240 Speaker 1: enough to have a few that have become as close 154 00:09:28,280 --> 00:09:33,160 Speaker 1: as brothers and of course my family. I don't think 155 00:09:33,160 --> 00:09:35,200 Speaker 1: I need to make public comments for my family to 156 00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:39,520 Speaker 1: know how I think about them. But Abby, and to 157 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:44,280 Speaker 1: Ava and Lucy and Caroline and Charlie, you are my rock. 158 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:52,280 Speaker 1: And to the Giants fans, You're definitely unique, but I 159 00:09:52,360 --> 00:09:58,120 Speaker 1: love you for that. I'm walking away today feeling like 160 00:09:58,160 --> 00:10:02,160 Speaker 1: a New Yorker, well at least a Northeasterner, and that 161 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:04,320 Speaker 1: says a lot about a guy from New Orleans who 162 00:10:04,360 --> 00:10:08,080 Speaker 1: went to Old Miss. Since I've only been here, I'm 163 00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:10,400 Speaker 1: biased when I say that the New York Giants are 164 00:10:10,440 --> 00:10:15,040 Speaker 1: the greatest organization in the NFL, and how they treat players, coaches, 165 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:20,400 Speaker 1: and personnel, the team's driving commitment to win football games. 166 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:26,440 Speaker 1: It's a rarity, but here team always comes first. It's 167 00:10:26,440 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 1: been an honor to be a part of this family, 168 00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:31,640 Speaker 1: and I hope that I've represented the organization in the 169 00:10:31,679 --> 00:10:34,040 Speaker 1: way that you wanted me to for my first day 170 00:10:34,080 --> 00:10:37,720 Speaker 1: to my last. For most of my life people have 171 00:10:37,840 --> 00:10:43,800 Speaker 1: called me easy. Believe me, there's nothing easy about today. Well, 172 00:10:43,840 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 1: and Tomara always said, once a giant, always a giant. 173 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:52,200 Speaker 1: For me, it's only a giant. Thank you so much.