Giants Legend Eli Manning Unfazed by Hall of Fame Snub

Two-time Super Bowl champ says he's focused on the positives of his career, not the negatives of waiting to be inducted.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Despite not being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the second year in a row, New York Giants legend Eli Manning isn't worried about getting into Canton. In a recent interview, Manning said he's not going to be bitter about the snub and is instead focused on remembering the positives of his career, like his Super Bowl wins and the relationships he built with teammates.

Why it matters

Manning's relaxed attitude towards the Hall of Fame voting process highlights his maturity and perspective, even as his legacy remains a topic of debate. As a two-time Super Bowl champion, Manning's on-field accomplishments speak for themselves, though his regular season win-loss record has been a point of contention for some Hall of Fame voters.

The details

In the interview, Manning conceded that Bill Belichick should have gotten into the Hall of Fame, but he was more open-minded when discussing his own case. 'For me, coach, I think it's one of those deals — it doesn't keep me up at night; I'm not gonna be bitter at it, I'm not bitter at the game of football. I loved my teammates, I loved the relationships, the friendships, the championships, the parades. When I think about football, I think about touchdowns and my buddies and wins and plane rides home.' Manning said he's focused on the positives of his career, not the negatives or the wait to potentially get inducted.

  • Manning was recently interviewed by Jon Gruden on February 17, 2026.
  • Manning was not elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the second year in a row.

The players

Eli Manning

A legendary quarterback who played his entire 16-year NFL career with the New York Giants, winning two Super Bowl championships and two Super Bowl MVP awards.

Bill Belichick

The head coach of the New England Patriots, who is considered one of the greatest NFL coaches of all time but has not yet been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Jon Gruden

A former NFL head coach who interviewed Eli Manning for his 'Gruden Goes Long' series.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“For me, coach, I think it's one of those deals — it doesn't keep me up at night; I'm not gonna be bitter at it, I'm not bitter at the game of football. I loved my teammates, I loved the relationships, the friendships, the championships, the parades. When I think about football, I think about touchdowns and my buddies and wins and plane rides home.”

— Eli Manning (Barstool Sports)

The takeaway

Eli Manning's gracious and reflective attitude towards his Hall of Fame snub shows the maturity and perspective of a player who has already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in New York Giants history. While the debate over his Hall of Fame worthiness may continue, Manning's focus on the positives of his career is a testament to his character and the respect he has earned from teammates and fans alike.