Exclusive | Eli Manning opens up, makes case to Post about Hall of Fame candidacy

Eli Manning does not recall ever thinking about the Hall of Fame, or bringing it up in conversations. “Never really talked about it with my wife, really,” he told The Post. Until recently, that is. Eli Manning is one of 15 finalists for election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and on Feb.6 the Class of 2025 will be revealed in New Orleans, site of Super Bowl 2025.

Manning will be there.His wife, Abby, will be there, date of arrival still up in the air. “The only time we’ve talked about it is figuring out when she might come to New Orleans for the Super Bowl,” Manning said.

“I know I got to go, and she’s asking about the Hall of Fame — ‘I want to be there if you get announced.’ That’s really about as all as it’s come up.” At this point, there is no way to know how it will go.This is Manning’s first year on the ballot, and it figures to be a close call — needing 80 percent of the votes from the 50 members of the selection committee. As expected from someone who is known for his cool, calm and collected demeanor, Manning is not sweating it out, though he certainly is interested to know how it turns out. “I guess it’s different just because it’s all out of your hands, you’re not campaigning for it, you’re not trying to talk to people about it or prove your point,” Manning said.

“If I get in, it will be an awesome, unbelievable few days down in New Orleans, and if I don’t, it’s not going to ruin it for me.I’m not going to be in a bad mood, I’m not going to be sulking around.

Just to be included in the top 15 this year is a great honor, and so I look at all of this as positive and a fun experience.” That New Orleans is Manning’s hometown is not lost on him. “It would make it special, for sure,” he said. Manning, 44, retired after the 2019 season, and his legacy is exalted in Giants lore for leading the franchise to Super Bowl victories after the 2007 and 2011 seasons.Beating Tom Brady and the P...