The two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Eli Manning finally decided to shed some light on his infamous decision to refuse to play for the Chargers despite being drafted by the franchise with the first overall pick in 2004.

During his appearance on the 10 Questions with Kyle Brand podcast earlier this week, Manning revealed that he had reservations about the Chargers organization, then located in San Diego, and believed they wouldn’t be a great place for a young QB.

“It was my decision having talked with my agent, coaches, [general managers] and owners,” Manning said. “Going through the draft process, I was just worried about the Chargers organization at the time. I felt it was the right decision, and I had a little pull. I quietly tried to say ‘Hey, please don’t draft me, it can be our secret,’ and they didn’t keep the secret part very well.”

After successful four seasons of college football with Ole Miss, Eli Manning entered the 2004 NFL Draft and was immediately the favorite to be first on the board. But Manning actively tried to avoid this honor as it would mean he would play for the Chargers. He even openly told the franchise not to draft him and was reportedly ready to sit out an entire season if that happens.

The Chargers had a bad rep at the time, having first failed to develop Ryan Leaf, who was taken second in the 1998 draft, and then almost ruining the career of Drew Brees.

The Chargers drafted Manning regardless but ended up trading him to the New York Giants in exchange for Phillip Rivers (selected three spots behind Manning) and picks. The rest is history, as Manning won two Super Bowls and was named Super Bowl MVP in both, while Chargers got a Hall of Fame quarterback in Rivers but never managed to go all the way.

The post Eli Manning Reveals Why He Didn’t Want to Play for Chargers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

New York Giants won’t be the only one retiring Eli Manning’s No.10 jersey. Ole Miss University, where Manning played college football, announced on Monday that they will also honor the two-time Super Bowl champion this way.

Manning will become only the third Ole Miss Rebels player in the history of the program to have his jersey retired. The previous two are Eli’s father Archie Manning (No. 18) and Chucky Mullins (No. 38).

The ceremony will take place on September 19th at Ole Miss’ Vaught-Hemingway Stadium during the Rebels’ game against Auburn.

“I owe so much credit to the coaches and all the wonderful teammates that I had here during my time in Oxford that put in all the hard work right alongside of me,” said Manning in a statement. “It’ll be special to see the number go up there next to my dad and Chucky Mullins.”

Eli Manning spent four seasons at Ole Miss, becoming the program’s starting quarterback during his sophomore year. During his time with Rebels, Manning emerged as one of the best college players while winning a number of accolades including Bart Starr Award and Maxwell Award. He also finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting during the 2003 season, in which he had 3,600 passing yards and 29 touchdowns.

Manning finished his college career with 10,286 yards and 84 touchdowns, becoming the No.1 overall pick in 2004 NFL Draft. He was the first Ole Miss player to go first overall in school’s history.

The post Eli Manning Will Have his No.10 Jersey Retired by Ole Miss appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Eli Manning finally decided to shed some light on his infamous decision to refuse to play for the Chargers despite being drafted by the franchise with the first overall pick in 2004.

During his appearance on the 10 Questions with Kyle Brand podcast earlier this week, Manning revealed that he had reservations about the Chargers organization, then located in San Diego, and believed they wouldn’t be a great place for a young QB.

“It was my decision having talked with my agent, coaches, [general managers] and owners,” Manning said. “Going through the draft process, I was just worried about the Chargers organization at the time. I felt it was the right decision, and I had a little pull. I quietly tried to say ‘Hey, please don’t draft me, it can be our secret,’ and they didn’t keep the secret part very well.”

After successful four seasons of college football with Ole Miss, Eli Manning entered the 2004 NFL Draft and was immediately the favorite to be first on the board. But Manning actively tried to avoid this honor as it would mean he would play for the Chargers. He even openly told the franchise not to draft him and was reportedly ready to sit out an entire season if that happens.

The Chargers had a bad rep at the time, having first failed to develop Ryan Leaf, who was taken second in the 1998 draft, and then almost ruining the career of Drew Brees.

The Chargers drafted Manning regardless but ended up trading him to the New York Giants in exchange for Phillip Rivers (selected three spots behind Manning) and picks. The rest is history, as Manning won two Super Bowls and was named Super Bowl MVP in both, while Chargers got a Hall of Fame quarterback in Rivers but never managed to go all the way.

The post Eli Manning Reveals Why He Didn’t Want to Play for Chargers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

New York Giants won’t be the only one retiring Eli Manning’s No.10 jersey. Ole Miss University, where Manning played college football, announced on Monday that they will also honor the two-time Super Bowl champion this way.

Manning will become only the third Ole Miss Rebels player in the history of the program to have his jersey retired. The previous two are Eli’s father Archie Manning (No. 18) and Chucky Mullins (No. 38).

The ceremony will take place on September 19th at Ole Miss’ Vaught-Hemingway Stadium during the Rebels’ game against Auburn.

“I owe so much credit to the coaches and all the wonderful teammates that I had here during my time in Oxford that put in all the hard work right alongside of me,” said Manning in a statement. “It’ll be special to see the number go up there next to my dad and Chucky Mullins.”

Eli Manning spent four seasons at Ole Miss, becoming the program’s starting quarterback during his sophomore year. During his time with Rebels, Manning emerged as one of the best college players while winning a number of accolades including Bart Starr Award and Maxwell Award. He also finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting during the 2003 season, in which he had 3,600 passing yards and 29 touchdowns.

Manning finished his college career with 10,286 yards and 84 touchdowns, becoming the No.1 overall pick in 2004 NFL Draft. He was the first Ole Miss player to go first overall in school’s history.

The post Eli Manning Will Have his No.10 Jersey Retired by Ole Miss appeared first on SportzBonanza.