From their ManningLife Stadium suite, Archie and Olivia Manning watched youngest son Eli’s last home game as quarterback of the New York Football Giants Sunday against the Dolphins.

“I’ll say this,” Archie told a select media group. “I’m very proud of him. My dad used to tell me, ‘Take care of your business, which I think meant, ‘Behave and don’t screw up (smile).’ He’s taken care of his business.”

In the toughest place there is to take care of business.

“I hate to say this about Eli; I hate to say he doesn’t give a s–t, but about a lot of things he doesn’t give a s–t,” Archie said, and laughed. “I’ve heard people tell me if Peyton played here he’d choke some of y’all. Your children are different.”

Eli’s future is a mystery. His contract is up after the season.

“What makes it easier to retire is when you’re hurt,” Archie said, “a lot of people don’t have a choice, they get cut. That made it much easier in Peyton’s case, he was hurt. It was time. Eli feels great.

“I’ll support Eli whatever he wants to do — he’s pretty good in thinking through things. He’ll do the right thing.”

Archie reminisced about those anxious moments watching Eli begin his career at Giants Stadium.

“I’m a pacer,” he said. “I don’t scream, I don’t holler, I just kinda get up and walk a little bit. I’d have to shoot into a tunnel to see a few plays.

“As the games went on, there was a tunnel there with an usher. Had some pretty good luck, I’d go back to him.”

The Giants were trying to avoid an historic franchise-record 10th consecutive loss.

“I’d love to get a win for the Giants, for the ownership, administration and coaches and fans to get out of this rut,” Archie said.

“I’m sorry the last five or six years for the Giants hadn’t been great, not just for Eli but for everybody.” He laughed. “We’ve always had a saying – ‘It’s effin football.”

Archie was a fan of former Giants legend Charlie Conerly, and he felt compelled to text Phil SImms on Sunday morning. His youngest boy will go down as the greatest quarterback in Giants history.

“If anybody says that, I’d consider it a great honor,” Archie said. “He will too.”

What does Archie hope Giants fans say about Eli?

“He showed up every week,” Archie said. “I was proud of that.

“I think he represented them well.”

Source: Read Full Article