He never brings it up. But that does not mean that it is not discussed in conversation.
Eli Manning is the only living quarterback to have this over Tom Brady – the seemingly timeless wonder on his way to his 10th Super Bowl, his first with the Buccaneers. Brady is 6-3 in his previous Super Bowl appearances, all with the Patriots, and the first two defeats came by Manning and the Giants.
With so much (well-deserved) discussion this week about Brady, 43, as the best it has ever done, Manning will be forever 2-0 against him on the biggest stage.
Not bad.
“It’s one of those things, it’s not something I ever say or think about much,” Manning told The Post on Tuesday. “I’ve been around Tom several times, and I’ve never brought up a Super Bowl or our games against them. He actually brings it up. It still bothers him a little bit, especially the one in ’07, when they got the chance to come down as the best team of all time.
‘But I’m not allowed to brag to Tom. This is his 10th Super Bowl and I am so impressed with his entire career. ”
Manning was the MVP of the Super Bowls after the 2007 and 2011 seasons and came back first in Glendale, Arizona, then Indianapolis in the fourth quarter to upset Brady and the Patriots. The only other quarterback to beat Brady in a Super Bowl is Nick Foles three years ago. Manning only remains as a two-time Brady killer.
“I don’t think I rooted for him or against him for that reason,” Manning said. “I still watch the game and usually drive to the quarterbacks in certain situations, especially in the fourth quarter – whoever has the ball, I root for the quarterback and root for the offense to make plays.”
In Tampa on Feb. 7, Brady and the Buccaneers will face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Brady, in a place unknown to him, is the underdog.
“It’s really impressive what Tom has been able to do,” said Manning, who is involved in Frank’s RedHot Big Pour Challenge to raise $ 100,000 for Tackle Kids Cancer. Just the fact, switch teams after 20 years, with one team where you’ve had so much success and go to a new team, new city, new state during a pandemic, where you have a shortened low season and different rules and get about the same results Back to a Super Bowl, at age 43, yes it’s that impressive It was hard to imagine this could be possible He clearly has a special attitude and a special ability to get guys around him . ”
Manning does not make any predictions, but he did offer this, as far as the winner of Super Bowl 2021: which team and quarterback has the ball last.
“Usually,” said Manning, “that’s how it works with these guys.”
He should know.