He never talks about it. But that does not mean that it does not appear in the conversation.
Eli Manning is the only living quarterback who has this about Tom Brady – the seemingly ageless wonder who is heading for his 10th Super Bowl, the first with the Buccaneers. Brady is 6-3 in his previous Super Bowl appearances, all with the Patriots, and the first two defeats went to Manning and the Giants.
With so much (deserved) discussion this week about Brady, 43, as the best he has ever done, Manning will be forever 2-0 against him on the biggest stage.
It is not bad.
“It’s one of those things, it’s not something I say or think about,” ‘Manning told The Post on Tuesday. “I have been with Tom several times and have never mentioned a Super Bowl or our games against them. It really brings it up. It still bothers him a little bit, especially in 2007, when they had the chance to fall as the greatest team of all time.
“But I have no right to brag about Tom. This is his tenth Super Bowl, and I am very impressed with his entire career. ”
Manning was the MVP of the Super Bowls after the 2007 and 2011 seasons, returning first to Glendale, Arizona, then to Indianapolis in the fourth period to defeat Brady and the Patriots. The only other quarterback to beat Brady in the Super Bowl was Nick Foles three years ago. Manning remains alone as a Brady killer twice.
“I don’t think I cheered for him or against him for that reason,” said Manning. “I still watch the game and I usually cheer for the defenders in certain situations, especially in the fourth period – whoever has the ball, I’m cheering for the defender and cheering for the attack to make plays. ”
In Tampa, on February 7, Brady and the Buccaneers face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Brady, in a place unknown to him, is the underdog.
“It’s really impressive what Tom managed 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, changing teams after 20 years, with a team where you were so successful and going to a new team, new city, new state during a pandemic, where you have a reduced off-season and different rules and like to get the same results. Going back to the Super Bowl, at 43, yes, it’s so impressive. It was difficult to think that this would be possible. He obviously has a special demeanor and a special ability to make guys come together around him. ”
Manning doesn’t make predictions, but he does offer that, with regard to the winner of Super Bowl 2021: the team and the quarterback with the ball last.
“Usually, ” Manning said, ‘this is how it works with these guys.'”
He must know.