ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 22: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants reacts after being sacked by the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Eli Manning's Former Teammate Has Message For Hall Of Fame Voters

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Feb 12, 2025 6:24 PM ET

Eli Manning must wait at least one more year to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The league revealed the 2025 class during Thursday's NFL Honors ceremony. Manning, the only quarterback among the 15 modern-era finalists, missed the cut. His candidacy has divided people who either think the two-time Super Bowl champion is an obvious choice or aren't impressed by his 84.1 quarterback rating and 244 interceptions.

Prince Amukamara sides with the first mindset. The former New York Giants cornerback played five seasons alongside Manning, winning the Super Bowl as a rookie in 2011. Given that connection, he naturally thinks the franchise's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns merits a spot in Canton.

"Snub, dude," Amukamara told TMZ. "Come on."

While Amukamara believes Jared Allen, Eric Allen, Antonio Gates, and Sterling Sharpe all deserved induction, he also thinks Manning and former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Keuchly are Hall of Famers. The 35-year-old felt bad that Manning didn't receive the honor in his hometown of New Orleans.

"I don't know whatever criteria [they use], they just need to switch it up, man," Amukamara said. "Because Eli was a hands down Hall of Famer."

The former first-round pick gave the bullet points for Manning's candidacy and predicted that his day would come.

"Two-time Super Bowl MVP," Amukamara noted. "Beat everybody's G.O.A.T [Tom Brady]. Never missed a down, never missed a play, never missed a game ... But he'll get in next time."

Manning took the omission in stride. The 44-year-old made a self-deprecating joke when congratulating one of the inductees.

"It was an honor to be considered there," Manning told the New York Post in New Orleans. "I texted Jaren Allen after. I said, I feel like I'm kind of part of the Hall of Fame this year because you sacked me so many times that I helped you get in. So, happy for all the guys that got in."

Appearing on Good Morning Football the day after the Hall of Fame announcement, Manning said he's excited for everyone chosen.

"I had a feeling it wasn't going to be my night, and I understand that. And I'm totally at peace," Manning said. "It's not going to change my outlook of my career and how I feel about it."

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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