Manning calls it a career, retires with no regrets
Eli Manning retired from the NFL after 16 seasons just the way he wanted, as a hard-working, career-long New York Giant who did it his way in leading the franchise to two Super Bowls.
Saying he had no regrets, the 39-year-old Manning officially ended his career on Friday at a packed news conference surrounded by his family, friends and former teammates and coaches and two Lombardi trophies.
Manning said he had no immediate plans, although he admitted he would miss the time with teammates, the preparation and the beers in the back of the bus after wins. He plans to spend some time reliving the positives memories, enjoying himself and being an assistant coach on his daughter’s third-grade basketball team. A job with the Giants is a possibility, he said.
Manning had a string of 222 consecutive starts between the end of his rookie year into late into the 2017 season. His final season ended with him being replaced by rookie Daniel Jones as the starting quarterback after two games. He did have a final hurrah, starting and winning a game over the Dolphins after Jones was hurt in December.
“That was my farewell and a moment I will cherish forever,” said Manning.
Brees a Saint for life
If Drew Brees decides to suit up for a team in 2020, he only will put on the black and gold uniform of the New Orleans Saints, he told NFL Network. The 41-yearold is a free agent and must choose whether to retire or to return for his 20th NFL season, which would be his 15th in New Orleans.
General manager Mickey Loomis said earlier this week that the Saints would welcome his return.
Brees led the Saints to the Super Bowl championship following the 2009 season and could want another chance, even though he reportedly is being pursued for a television analyst role. Brees is the NFL’s alltime leader in several statistical categories, including passing yards (77,416), touchdown passes (547) and completions (6,867).
Short yardage
• NFL free agent Antonio Brown turned himself in at a Florida jail on Thursday night following accusations that he and his trainer attacked another man.
Brown, 31, arrived at Broward County Jail around 10 p.m., as first reported by TMZ. The wide receiver, wearing turquoise pants and a matching blazer buttoned over a green jacket, initially walked out of the jail a few minutes after arriving, but then returned after conferring with his lawyer, WFOR-TV reported.
• Minnesota Vikings assistant general manager George Paton removed himself from consideration for the job as general manager of the Cleveland Browns, according to multiple media reports. Paton was considered the top candidate for the position after the Browns hired former Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski as their head coach on Jan. 13.
• Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce joined safety Jordan Lucas in sitting out practice due to illness.
Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson sat out Wednesday’s practice session with an illness as well.
• Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones said he expects to play without restriction in Super Bowl LIV. Jones, 25, has nursed an ailing calf throughout the playoffs, with the injury preventing him from playing in Kansas City’s victory over Houston in the AFC divisional round. He recorded two tackles in the Chiefs’ victory in the AFC title game.
• Browns running back Kareem Hunt was cited for a traffic violation, and police say they found marijuana in his car. He was pulled over Tuesday afternoon in Rocky River, Ohio, while driving on Interstate 90.