With each passing day, the Hall of Fame debate surrounding retired New York Giants legend Eli Manning grows louder.
The realization that the clock has started ticking on the eventual decision has sent the two sides into their corners. On one hand, you have those who argue Manning will only even be positioned for a spot in Canton because of his last name.
On the other side, you have logical thinkers who realize Manning carved out his own history in spite of his last name, not because of it. And his two highlights came during Super Bowl victories over Tom Brady and Bill Belichick’s dynasty New England Patriots.
Count Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera as one of the logical thinkers.
“Yes,” Rivera told the New York Post when asked if Manning is a Hall of Famer. “Because when it came clutch time, big time, he showed up. When it really counted, when it had to be done, he showed up.”
Had Manning’s final years in East Rutherford not been completely wasted by poor personnel and constant coaching turnover, this debate would have been put to bed long ago.
But credit Rivera here. He’s widely viewed as an intelligent football mind and in this instance, he’s spot on.
