Eli Manning often is criticized and mocked for a lack of emotion. His thousand-yard stare when things go wrong _ or even when they go well _ often masks whatever feelings and thoughts he has at the time.
On Thursday though, in the face of new allegations that he had a role in a conspiracy to sell fake game-used equipment and memorabilia, he dropped the "aw shucks" visage and morphed into Angry Eli.
Manning delivered a forceful denial of any wrongdoing in light of documents that recently surfaced from a three-year-old lawsuit claiming he helped peddle the fake keepsakes, showing more rage and irritation than he perhaps ever has publicly in his tenure with the Giants. With the exception of his tears at Tom Coughlin's farewell news conference almost two years ago, it certainly was the most passion he has shown.
"I will say that I have never done what I've been accused of doing," he said, his voice quivering at times during his four minutes or so of discussing the situation. "I have no reason, nor have I ever had any reason, to do anything of that nature. I've done nothing wrong and I have nothing to hide. And I know that when this is all done, everybody will see it the same way."
Manning said he is "definitely" angry at the way he has been portrayed.
"It's one thing to write about my football or my play, but when you are attacking my integrity, it definitely makes me angry," he said. "I think my track record with how I've handled myself since I've been here in New York since 2004 speaks for itself. I've tried to do everything with class and be a standup citizen. That's what I have done and that's being attacked right now."
Manning said he could not go into specifics because of the pending litigation. He did say an email submitted into evidence last week in which he asked equipment manager Joe Skiba for helmets that "can pass as game used" was taken out of context and hinted that other emails from that conversation will show it as such.
"It'll all work out and when it does then I'll be cleared of this and everybody will see that I've done nothing wrong," he said.
The Manning emails were included in court documents filed in New Jersey's Bergen County Superior Court and obtained by Newsday. They are part of a case by three memorabilia collectors who are pressing a civil racketeering suit against the Giants, Manning, Skiba, Steiner Sports and others, including team co-owner John Mara.
The emails included in the documents show one from Manning to Skiba from April 27, 2010, requesting "2 helmets that can pass as game used," and another from Manning to his marketing agent, Alan Zucker, sent shortly after the Skiba exchange telling Zucker he "should be able to get them for tomorrow." Zucker had requested "2 game used helmets and 2 game used jerseys per your contract (with Steiner Sports)."
"The email, taken out of context, was shared with the media by an unscrupulous memorabilia dealer and his counsel who for years has been seeking to leverage a big payday," said Karen Kessler, spokeswoman for Giants counsel McCarter & English, in last week's statement. "Eli Manning is well known for his integrity and this is just the latest misguided attempt to defame his character."
Manning said he has not heard from the NFL on the matter. The situation could fall under the league's personal conduct policy.
As for whether other Giants players or employees were involved in the alleged scam, Manning was slightly less emphatic but also said he believes in the team and everyone in the organization.
"The whole Giants staff has done things first-class and done things the right way," he said. "I have total confidence they have done everything by the book."
The case against Manning and the others is scheduled to go to trial on Sept. 25, right in the middle of the NFL season. Manning said he would like for the situation to be resolved before then.
"Always with anything that needs to be cleared up," he said, "sooner rather than later is better."
