(Photo Source: nydailynews.com)

It’s official, both Mannings are retired

Eli Manning, who has played sixteen seasons as a quarterback for the New York Giants, announced his retirement this week. Manning is 39 years old and has had a long and successful career in the NFL, including a Super Bowl victory.

“We are proud to have called Eli Manning our quarterback for so many years,” said Steve Tisch, Giants chairman and executive vice president. “Eli was driven to always do what was best for the team. Eli leaves a timeless legacy with two Super Bowl titles on the field and his philanthropic work off the field, which has inspired and impacted so many people. We are sincerely thankful for everything Eli has given our team and community. He will always be a Giant among Giants.”

After Manning announced his retirement, #ThankYouEli began trending on Twitter. Fans and sports commentators celebrated his accomplishments, onscreen and off.

“Congratulations to one of the fiercest competitors the league has ever seen. Man of the Year, Super Bowl champion, philanthropist, and ambassador for the game…the game won’t be the same without you my friend,” tweeted Larry Fitzgerald, a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals.

According to the Giants’ announcement concerning Manning’s retirement, “From Nov. 21, 2004 through Nov. 23, 2017, Manning started 210 consecutive regular-season games, then the second-longest streak by a quarterback in NFL history (to Brett Favre’s 297). After sitting out one game, he started the next 22 in a row, giving him 232 starts in 233 games – plus 12 postseason games. Manning never missed a game because of injury.”