As the starting quarterback at Mississippi, Eli Manning was forced to live up to the standards set by his father, Archie, at Ole Miss, let alone trying to avoid the shadow of older brother Peyton. Eli forged his own reputation, however, by setting or tying 47 school records, among them the passing mark (by throwing for 10,119 yards). Amid controversy, Manning went as the number one pick in the 2004 NFL draft when he was selected by the San Diego Chargers, who in turn immediately traded him to the New York Giants for N.C. State quarterback Phillip Rivers, who had been picked fourth overall. The Giants now have one of the NFL's premier quarterbacks, who finished his collegiate career by leading Ole Miss to a 2004 Cotton Bowl victory and is currently aiming to guide Big Blue back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2001. Eli Manning has hand signed this 16x20 action photograph with the New York Giants. A Steiner Sports certificate of authenticity is included.
