Why i cheered for Eli

You know its funny. You become a fan of a franchise and tend to equally give all the players the same fan love. But not Eli. Here is my long story as a fan of SuperMan.

Sure he got a bad rep at the beginning when he didn’t want to join the Chargers. Who the fuck is this primadonna think he is. Who knows what his reasons were at the time. But he rubbed me alittle wrong. Then his first game in, he looked like shit. I mean this guy wanted to come here and play. He wanted to dedicate his way here to play and I expect greatness right out of the box. He didn’t but he began to grow on me. He took his licks like a champ and just showed grit toughness. That’s when I saw the QB we needed.

As the years went by, he just kept on being compared to his brother. When you heard Manning, you thought of Peyton. This QB god who changed the plays at the line of scrimmage. You never thought of Eli because he was in the shadows of his brother constantly. Eli would have a bad day, an analyst will say “well he isn’t like peyton” or “ I guess Peyton got the manning QB skill”. It was infuriating for a fan to see that. We knew he was giving his best but shit happens. Any remember those stupid Eagle fans yelling at Eli “I wish I was Peyton, I wish I was Peyton”? Soon, he will have his moment and create a legacy.

2007 came and the media began asking for heads. Coughlin was going to go if he didn’t shape up. Eli was underperforming. Hell, even Tiki would pile on talking about Eli’s Leadership skill. I was just cheering for the guy to silence all of them. Shut them all up. After two losses, the Giants began a run. Eli and team were playing well. Eli then puts on a show against the Pats. Then began the revenge tour. First with beating Jeff Garcia, then finally beating Romo at Dallas Stadium, and finally going through Favre in the frozen championship. He reached the bowl. Right after his brother did. He reached the bowl.

Super Bowl was a David vs Goliath matchup. The Road Warriors vs the Perfect season. Its just one of the those matchups that people would think the Giants would get creamed. But Eli stayed in it. With a stout defense, Eli pushed on. He made what was arguably the greatest escape and pass. The Helmet catch will forever be in NFL history. But it wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for Eli’s toughness and never giving up. The pass to Burress proved a dream come true. It was replayed over and over of Eli throwing the ball and celebrating but what was sweeter was Peyton watching from his suite. This was Eli’s time! The win just capped it all. Beating the Pats. Destroying their “magical” season in true Giants fashion. The underdog beat them! And to make it sweet, Eli was awarded the Super Bowl MVP.

4 years would pass and the almost the same scenario would be brought. But this time, the Eli we all knew would be showcased to the world. At the beginning of the year, a reporter asked Eli if he was an elite QB. Eli answered it honestly and said he was. The media and fans would shit all over him. Basically laugh at him. of theEli and team would be back into the playoffs. He would lead the team back into Lambeau field and see the great Rodgers get punished by the Gmen Defense. But again, Eli had to make the throws to create the points. He would throw a hail mary bomb to Hakeem Nicks for a td. Eli just creating magic. But the real Eli was displayed in the NFC Championship game. 49ers had a stout defense and our oline did their best to protect Eli. He was hit, hit and hit again. He was hit so many times that his freaking helmet was tilted sideways with his chin strap over his nose. But he stayed in. He stayed in and made the important throws. He made the TD to Manningham under duress like a crazy person. He literally got his ass kicked. But he didn’t stop. It was the real Eli. The ELI we respected. He showed he deserved to be in the convo of toughest SOB’s in the game. He proved it. The rematch was on.

Super Bowl 46 against Brady was supposed to be redemption for Brady. Eli had other plans. Right in the second half, Eli would make another unbelievable throw. It was one of those passes where you have to be precise on where you want it to be. Manningham had a ton to do with it. Manningham had to make sure his toes were in. He did his job. But Manning had to do his. It was yet again, incredible. The Giants went on to deny Brady yet again. The QB who said he was elite and was laughed at was yet again on top of the NFL. He was awarded the Super Bowl MVP for the second time. Where? In the House his brother built.

As the years went on, the Giants tried to redo the magic by surrounding ELI with players but it was never enough. The Giants organization failed at providing the Offensive line Eli deserved. Even dealing with McAdoo, Eli handled it all with class. For the dirty and shameful decision to be benched for the first time for Geno Smith, Eli still didn’t changed his demeanor and acted with class. But with that, time was just against him as well. The Giants had to get younger eventually. Daniel Jones arrived and showed the same poise and demeanor that made Eli successful. Eli got to say his final goodbye with a win in Giants stadium. The stadium gave him the standing ovation he deserved.

In Summary, Eli’s career was one that many didn’t think he would get. Sure he didn’t have the sexy stats as Rodgers or Brees, but he has something they don’t have. Two Super Bowl rings. Eli gave the fans the excitement and heart stress to see if he can make magic happen. In his two attempts, he did. He provided the two rides of a lifetime for the fans that yearned for wins in awhile. He did it in incredible fashion. He proved many wrong twice. Twice! Ask any Bengal, Browns, Titans, Jags, Jets, Chargers and etc, if they would take Eli’s successful Super Bowl runs, they would say Fuck yes and twice on Sunday. He was the underdog that didn’t waiver and took in every hit. He showed many that as long as you showed up and just stayed true to yourself, you can be successful. He is SuperMan and will forever be the Giant among men!