Make it two retired numbers coming soon for Eli Manning.
The University of Mississippi announced Monday that Eli’s No. 10 uniform number will be retired on Sept. 19 when Ole Miss hosts Auburn, with Eli joining only two others – his father, Archie (No. 18) and Chucky Mullins (No. 38) – in having their number retired in Rebels lore.
"We couldn't be prouder or more excited to officially add Eli's No. 10 to its rightful place among the retired jersey numbers in our football history," Ole Miss Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter said in a statement. "Like Chucky and Archie, Eli left an indelible impact on our program and the game of football as a whole. His dedication, humility and kindness over the course of his career epitomizes what it means to be a Rebel, and we look forward to celebrating him as a player and a person."
As a collegian, Manning was a three-year starter for the Rebels and set or tied 47 Ole Miss single-game, season, and career records in his time in Oxford. He finished with 10,119 passing yards and 81 touchdowns – still Ole Miss records – and won the 2003 Maxwell Award given to the best all-around player in college football. And, he was the first-ever No. 1 pick in Ole Miss history when the Chargers selected him atop the 2004 NFL Draft. "I owe so much credit to the coaches and all the wonderful teammates that I had here during my time in Oxford that put in all the hard work right alongside of me," Eli Manning said in the Ole Miss statement. "It'll be special to see the number go up there next to my dad and Chucky Mullins."
New York Giants CEO John Mara had previously confirmed during Eli’s retirement press conference in January that Manning’s No. 10 in Big Blue will be retired into the franchise’s Ring of Honor at some point this season, making him the first player to be so honored by the franchise within a year of his retirement.
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