Eli Manning: 'I choose to leave this game with only positive memories'
Longtime New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning officially said goodbye to the NFL during a press conference on Friday.
After a 16-year career filled with ups and downs, Manning said he's looking back at his playing days with the glass half full.
"I choose to leave this game with only positive memories," he said. "If there are going to be endless echoes, choose the good ones."
The 39-year-old also spoke to his progression from a quiet rookie to a leader with the Giants.
"From the very first moment, I did it my way. I couldn’t be someone other than who I am," Manning said. "Undoubtedly, I would've made the fans, the media, and even the front office more comfortable if I was a more rah-rah guy. But that's not me.
"Ultimately, I choose to believe that my teammates and the fans learned to appreciate that. They knew what they got was pure unadulterated Eli."
During the same press conference, the Giants announced that Manning's jersey will be retired by the organization.
"We would be honored to induct Eli into the Giants Ring of Honor," team president and co-owner John Mara said. "No Giant will ever wear number 10 again."
"Wellington Mara once said: 'Once a Giant, always a Giant.' For me, it's 'Only a Giant.' Thank you so much." - Eli Manning pic.twitter.com/BSm2eLtJyc
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) January 24, 2020
A two-time Super Bowl champion, Manning walks away from the NFL ranked seventh all time in both passing yards (57,023) and passing touchdowns (366). He's also one of only five players to earn multiple Super Bowl MVPs.
Manning never missed a game due to injury after being drafted first overall in 2004. He finished his career with a record of 117-117 as a starter.