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Riotmaker
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: South Burlington, Vermont
Posts: 5,717
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Yay Eli!
Quote:
March 6, 2008
EAST RUTHERFORD -Eli Manning is a big fan of some television shows – “Seinfeld” and “The Office” are among his favorites – but this offseason his viewing habits have changed. His preference now is to watch replays of Super Bowl XLII.
Eli Manning was introduced as the official Celebrity Chairman for March for Babies.
Can you blame him? Manning was the MVP and threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes as the Giants upset the New England Patriots, 17-14, in the Super Bowl on Feb. 3.
“I’ve seen it from every which way,” Manning said last night. “I’ve seen our Giants copy, I’ve seen the TV copy, I’ve seen the DVD that was just released – it’s always fun to watch it.”
On Wednesday evening at a Manhattan event Manning was introduced as the official Celebrity Chairman for March for Babies, a major fundraiser for the March of Dimes that will be held on April 27 at Lincoln Center. March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.
“It’s a great program,” Manning said. “Every baby deserves a fresh start and a healthy start in this life, and that’s what we’re working toward. We have the March for Babies on Sunday, April 27 in New York City. We’re trying to get as many people to come out as possible.
“I’ve been working with children for a long time. The number of children that have problems at birth – like premature birth or infant mortality – is a never-ending issue and I’m trying to raise as much money as possible to ensure that every baby has a healthy life.”
Manning has basically been chillin’ in the four-plus weeks since the Giants won the Super Bowl. He’s done a little traveling, visited family and friends and enjoyed some much-needed rest and relaxation.
“It’s been a fun month,” he said. “I’ve gotten some down time, but when I’ve been around New York City it’s been a warm reception everywhere I’ve been, so I’ve tried to enjoy it.
“The people in New York and across the country - I’ve been home to New Orleans, I’ve been to Mississippi - have been very supportive. I’ve received a lot of congratulations and high fives. I can definitely get used to this feeling.”
Manning has kept close tabs on the Giants, who last week lost three defensive players when Kawika Mitchell, Gibril Wilson and Reggie Torbor joined other teams as free agents.
“When you win a championship you’re going to lose a few guys,” Manning said. “That’s just part of the deal. Other guys are going to have to step up. But I’m happy we have all our offensive guys coming back, at least.”
One of those guys, Plaxico Burress, caught Manning’s last pass in the Super Bowl for the game-winning touchdown. Manning has tossed a few passes since then, but nothing serious.
“I’ve thrown a football, but not in the sense of working out,” he said. “I’ve just thrown it around with a few friends.”
The Giants’ offseason conditioning program begins March 31, and Manning is already preparing to hit the ground running.
“I took my time off,” he said. “I think it’s important to get away from it all. I’ve done that. I took vacation. But I’m back up here and I’ve started my workouts. I’m trying to keep my same schedule.”
*Anyone interested in signing up for March for Babies can do so at www.marchforbabies.org/elimanning.
NOTES
*David Tyree, whose sensational catch of a Manning pass was the signature play of the Super Bowl, will receive the “Children's Champion” Award from Children of the City at the charity’s fourth annual Gala 2008 on Thursday, March 13, at Tribeca Rooftop in Manhattan. Sopranos star Steve Schirripa will serve as the Master of Ceremonies, and Nets star Richard Jefferson will also be a guest of honor.
Children of the City is a community-based organization that has been serving disadvantaged children since 1982. Its mission is to reach at-risk inner city children with hope, guidance and resources to positively affect their lives and communities, breaking the cycle of poverty and its effects.
“For the past three years since learning about Children of the City, I have admired the aggressive approach it has taken in helping our young people,” Tyree said. “I only seek to do my best in community service with an organization that operates in excellence. Children of the City touches my heart, and I am honored each time I can be a part of serving this community.”
For tickets and more information, contact Joyce Mattera at 718 436 0242, ext. 18.
*Sean Landeta, whose 25-year pro football career included a stint with the Giants from 1985-92, officially announced his retirement. He chose today because it is the 25th anniversary of the first game played in the United States Football League (USFL), between Landeta’s Philadelphia Stars and the Denver Gold. Landeta is the final USFL player to retire.
Landeta had 526 punts for 22,806 yards in 111 regular season games with the Giants. He was a member of the Giants teams that won Super Bowls XXI and XXV. Landeta’s NFL career totals of 1,401 punts, 60,707 yards and 381 punts inside the 20 leave him second in league history in all three categories, behind only current Giants punter Jeff Feagles. The Giants signed him for one game in 2006 after Feagles hurt his knee, but Feagles was able to play and Landeta did not suit up.
In a statement, Landeta said this about his eight years with the Giants: “The Giants organization is where I spent the most of my time as a professional. Their ownership, front office and fans were so instrumental in many of the great things that happened to me then, and even to this day. To be part of two Super Bowl winning teams with a franchise that has their history is very special to me. I will always appreciate everything the Giant franchise and their fans have done for me in the past, and as I stated earlier, I still do to this day.”
*The Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center is displaying Tyree's helmet and a Manning jersey (as part of its captains exhibit). The museum is located a 15-minute drive from Giants Stadium on the campus of Montclair State University.
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http://www.giants.com/news/eisen/sto...story_id=26996
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Yay Eli!
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