A Little Love for Brother Eli
Wasn't intending to write today given the holiday and everything, but I wanted to drop a little love for young Eli Manning after leading the Giants to the Super Bowl last night.
I can't think of another athlete in New York who faces the same kind of scrutiny as young Elijah. The only name that really comes to mind is Alex Rodriguez, but I don't think it's a fair comparison. A-Rod gets booed either because Yankee fans expect too much of him, or because he actually chokes, or because he's an extremely unlikeable guy.
Eli's different. I know a lot of Giants fans don't like Eli, but I don't think it's because he's an inherently unlikeable guy. Giants fans don't like him because he's got a bit of the hang dog expression, and because he's never lived up to the expectations of his name and the circumstances by which he came to be the Giants' franchise quarterback.
As fans, we very rarely find ourselves in a position where we can actually understand
the psychodrama swirling around a player. But with Eli, well, no matter how frustrated he makes me some times, I kind of sympathize with the guy. I always feel like I can relate to him somehow.
All of us have expectations to live up to. All of us want to make our parents proud. All of us want to prove we can succeed on our own, that we can get by on more than our name alone.
And so I think each of us kind of understands the burden Eli assumes every time he steps on the field. And for me at least, when I read those words that Eli's mother said to him after the game, "It's good to see you smiling, honey", well, it just made me feel really happy for the guy.
Frustrating as the guy is sometimes, he's the most compelling athletic drama this side of Friday Night Lights (plug!).
So here's to you, Eli. Now how about one more win?
- A.F.O.M.G.
I can't think of another athlete in New York who faces the same kind of scrutiny as young Elijah. The only name that really comes to mind is Alex Rodriguez, but I don't think it's a fair comparison. A-Rod gets booed either because Yankee fans expect too much of him, or because he actually chokes, or because he's an extremely unlikeable guy.
Eli's different. I know a lot of Giants fans don't like Eli, but I don't think it's because he's an inherently unlikeable guy. Giants fans don't like him because he's got a bit of the hang dog expression, and because he's never lived up to the expectations of his name and the circumstances by which he came to be the Giants' franchise quarterback.
As fans, we very rarely find ourselves in a position where we can actually understand
the psychodrama swirling around a player. But with Eli, well, no matter how frustrated he makes me some times, I kind of sympathize with the guy. I always feel like I can relate to him somehow.
All of us have expectations to live up to. All of us want to make our parents proud. All of us want to prove we can succeed on our own, that we can get by on more than our name alone.
And so I think each of us kind of understands the burden Eli assumes every time he steps on the field. And for me at least, when I read those words that Eli's mother said to him after the game, "It's good to see you smiling, honey", well, it just made me feel really happy for the guy.
Frustrating as the guy is sometimes, he's the most compelling athletic drama this side of Friday Night Lights (plug!).
So here's to you, Eli. Now how about one more win?
- A.F.O.M.G.
posted by A Friend of Mr. Glass' at 3:11 PM
2 Comments:
Time out guys.
Did u see how gut wrenching it was for papaarchie to watch the game?
Fox did a great job showing the emotions going thru papa's veins. Simply because of that, I did not feel as bad for wanting to sit and wait for R.W 'all of a sudden I think I am a superstar and need to be the hero' McQuarters to return home so I could stab him in the chest wit a rusty hanger
I dunno...No one that I know thinks Eli is unlikeable. I just think that the media will not accept you unless you're the next "insert name of best athlete to ever play the position of said team". IE, the next Simms, Namath, LT. I really think that the media has a lot to do with shaping NY's opinions of their favorite player.
Look at Jay Cutler. He can't hold a candle to Elway, but Denver fans like the guy. Go figure.....
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