Two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Eli Manning is moving one step closer to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Videos by FanBuzz
Manning, the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, is one of six first-year eligible candidates who have reached the semifinalist round of the Hall of Fame process. He is one of 25 modern-era players to reach this stage. Only 15 will be finalists later this year.
The other first-year eligible players to reach the semifinalist round are Luke Kuechly, Terrell Suggs, Earl Thomas, Adam Vinatieri, and Marshal Yanda. Manning and the rest of these players last played in the NFL in 2019.
The Chargers originally drafted Manning first overall in 2004, but he never played a down for the Southern California team. The Chargers traded him to the Giants during the draft.
Manning spent his entire career in New York. He started 234 of the 236 games he played. He threw for 57,023 yards, 366 touchdowns, and 244 interceptions while setting multiple franchise records.
Manning, a four-time Pro Bowler, posted a win-loss record of 117-117 while leading the Giants to two Super Bowl titles. He was named Super Bowl MVP two times.
The other players to reach the Semifinalist round include:
- Eric Allen, cornerback — 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders
- Jared Allen, defensive end — 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
- Willie Anderson, tackle — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 - 2021-25)
- Anquan Boldin, wide receiver — 2003-09 Arizona Cardinals, 2010-12 Baltimore Ravens, 2013-15 San Francisco 49ers, 2016 Detroit Lions
- Jahri Evans, guard — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
- Antonio Gates, tight end — 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
- James Harrison, linebacker — 2002-2012, 2014-17 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2013 Cincinnati Bengals, 2017 New England Patriots
- Rodney Harrison, safety — 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots
- Torry Holt, wide receiver — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
- Luke Kuechly, linebacker — 2012-19 Carolina Panthers
- Eli Manning, quarterback — 2004-2019 New York Giants
- Robert Mathis, defensive end/linebacker — 2003-2016 Indianapolis Colts
- Steve Smith Sr., wide receiver — 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens
- Terrell Suggs, linebacker/defensive end — 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
- Fred Taylor, running back — 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots
- Earl Thomas, defensive back — 2010-18 Seattle Seahawks, 2019 Baltimore Ravens
- Adam Vinatieri, kicker — 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts
- Hines Ward, wide receiver — 1998-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers
- Ricky Watters, running back — 1992-94 San Francisco 49ers, 1995-97 Philadelphia Eagles, 1998-2001 Seattle Seahawks
- Reggie Wayne, wide receiver — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
- Richmond Webb, tackle — 1990-2000 Miami Dolphins, 2001-02 Cincinnati Bengals
- Vince Wilfork, defensive tackle — 2004-2014 New England Patriots, 2015-16 Houston Texans
- Steve Wisniewski, guard — 1989-2001 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders
- Darren Woodson, safety — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
- Marshal Yanda, guard/tackle — 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens
The NFL will reveal the 15 Hall of Fame finalists in December. These finalists will be presented to the Selection Committee along with three Seniors, one Coach, and one Contributor. The Hall of Fame class will be revealed during "NFL Honors" in February.
