Eli Manning: Peyton Manning's Brother Solidified as Great Quarterback
Eli Manning, brother of Peyton Manning has solidified his legacy as a great quarterback, winning his second Super Bowl title in his brother's stadium.
In a year where Eli Manning's brother, Peyton, was questioned about the possible end of his career and the Giants were left for dead in Week 15 at 7-7, Eli Manning has assured his place among the greats with his second Super Bowl victory.
That's one more than Peyton and one away from Brady, the two greatest quarterbacks of the modern NFL era.
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Sunday's win was at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, a stadium that witnessed Peyton Manning win 10 consecutive Division Championships for the Indianapolis Colts. Indianapolis didn't get to see him play all year long, but they got a good showing from younger brother, Eli.
Eli Manning threw for 296 yards and one touchdown on 30 completions and Tom Brady couldn't keep up again. Now the brother who once lived in the shadow of his older sibling has defeated the great Tom Brady three times in the last three games and twice in Super Bowl appearances.
Peyton won in his first Super Bowl appearance, which motivated Eli to win the very next year in 2008. According to Naple News, his older brother's success gave him a burning desire to win a Super Bowl.
"Seeing Peyton after [Super Bowl XLI] in that locker room in Miami, after they beat the Bears (29-17 in 2007), seeing that smile on his face and then being with him the next few months after he won the Super Bowl, it definitely made me feel jealous," Eli said.
"You always want to win a championship, but when you see someone win it, just the relief, the smile that was painted on his face for months, it truly gives you a burning desire to get one," the quarterback added.
Eli, who has vigorously competed with Peyton since childhood, has nothing to be jealous of presently. Not only does he have more championships than his older brother, he also has two Super Bowl MVPs- he's only the fifth quarterback to share that honor.
He's the only quarterback to beat Brady in a Super Bowl and while Brady is mentioned as one of the greatest, Eli Manning will always be intertwined in his legacy as the one who Brady couldn't beat.
Brady made mistakes in Super Bowl 46 from his very first throw. Under pressure from Justin Tuck, Brady threw an errant pass to no one in the middle of the field. The resulting intentional grounding call led to a safety, giving the Giants an early 2-point lead.
Eli Manning followed with a touchdown drive, throwing an amazing 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver, Victor Cruz. His only touchdown throw was enough for the Giants as they held the Patriots to 17 points and scored a late touchdown with 57 seconds left.
Brady's failed hail mary attempt doomed the Patriots and crowned the Giants as world champions.
Eli Manning hoisted the Vince Lombardi trophy for the second time in his older brother's home, yet still downplayed it. When asked about how it felt to win at Lucas Oil Stadium, the house his older brother built, Eli simply said, "It's great to win a world championship anywhere."
