Eli Manning's career speaks for itself, whether enshrined or not.
It's that last part that sparks debate and outrage, even if the formerNew York Giants'star quarterback appears unbothered. Fans, analysts, people around the league and many more have opinions that land on both sides of the issue, but it was thePro Football Hall of Fame voters who kept Manning off the list for a second year in a row.
Emotions run high when it comes to that topic, but don't expect Manning to give a passionate sales pitch anytime soon. During a Feb. 17 interview with Jon Gruden on "Gruden Goes Long," Manning was asked about the snub and his feelings about it.
"It doesn't keep me up at night," Manning said. "I'm not going to be bitter at it. I'm not bitter at the game of football. I loved my teammates. I love the relationships, the friendships, the championships, the parades. When I think about football, I think about touchdowns and my buddies and wins and plane rides home.
"I don't think about the interceptions. I don't think about the bad stuff. I think about the positive things."
The quarterback also isn't concerned about timing or how many ballots it might take for him to get into the exclusive club based in Canton, Ohio.
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"If I ever get in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I'll take it as a positive," Manning said. "And I'm not going to think about the years I had to wait to get in."
Of course, Manning wasn't the only prominent football coach, player or contributor left off the list. Former New England Patriots coach and eight-time Super Bowl champion,Bill Belichick, also fell short of being enshrined in 2026. Manning famously defeated Belichick's Patriots twice in the Super Bowl.
Despite being a two-time MVP in the big game, Manning didn't match that level of dominance in the regular season. He posted a 117-117 record in 16 seasons, making just four Pro Bowl appearances. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Manning's Hall of Fame case largely rests on those two games in Super Bowl 42 and 46.
Vote counts are not released by the Hall of Fame, meaning it's unclear how much support theGiants' legend had in the committee.
Manning will now have to hope that the third time is the charm in 2027.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Eli Manning says he isn't bitter about Hall of Fame snub in 2026
