Eli Manning’s Unexpected Subway Debut: A New York Story
First time riding the subway! pic.twitter.com/Jeyeyf0brL
— Eli Manning (@EliManning) December 5, 2024
Eli Manning, the two-time Super Bowl champion and New York Giants legend, has made no secret of his enduring connection with the city he called home for most of his illustrious career. After all, he wore the Giants’ blue for 16 seasons, making more appearances in a Giants uniform than any other player in franchise history. As his name is rightfully discussed among the NFL’s quarterback greats, with a Pro Football Hall of Fame induction seemingly inevitable, it’s easy to overlook some of the endearing minutiae of his time in New York.
This week, such a nugget surfaced: Eli Manning, for all his time spent in the New York Metropolitan Area, had never set foot on the subway.
That is, until last week.
During Monday night’s ManningCast, his brother, the equally iconic Peyton Manning, couldn’t escape the opportunity to inquire about this gaping hole in Eli’s New York experience.
“It was in my contract when I was playing, I wasn’t allowed to ride the subway,” Eli revealed, eliciting laughter from his brother. “They thought I could get pushed in front of a train.”
While a szápriority on Eli’s safety was undoubtedly a motivating factor, it was certainly not the sole reason behind his subway avoidance.
Having made his home in New Jersey during his time with the Giants, Eli simply hadn’t found the need to navigate the city’s underground network.
“I am a man of the people,” Eli explained with a smile. “I live in New Jersey. I’m not in the city that often. I was in the city last week. I had to get from uptown to downtown — I hopped on the subway. I’m a man of the people.”
Eli’s decision to finally embrace the subway is a testament to his down-to-earth personality, one that endeared him to fans throughout his career.
Even though he was lulled into a false sense of security regarding the subway’s perils by Peyton, who playfully suggested that “they let Aaron Rodgers ride the subway” this season in New York, Eli’s late-blooming subway journey is further evidence of his enduring bridge between NFL celebrity and everyday New Yorker.
