Giants' Eli Manning named Hall of Fame semifinalist in first year of eligibility

NEW YORK — Eli Manning is getting closer to adding another giant honor to his résumé.

The two-time Super Bowl champion is one of 25 modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025, the hall announced Wednesday.

Manning is in his first year of eligibility for Hall of Fame consideration, having retired in 2019 after 16 NFL seasons, all with the Giants.

The former quarterback ranks 11th in NFL history in passing yards (57,023), passing touchdowns (366) and completions (4,895).

Manning went 117-117 in the regular season but finished 8-4 in the playoffs, including leading the Giants to victories in Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

He led game-winning drives in both of those Super Bowls, famously escaping a sack and completing the “helmet catch” to David Tyree to deal the previously undefeated Patriots their first loss in 2008.

Manning is one of six players to win Super Bowl MVP at least twice and one of 13 quarterbacks to start and win at least two Super Bowls.

He is one of seven first-time semifinalists this year. The others include linebackers Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs, safety Earl Thomas, kicker Adam Vinatieri and guard Marshal Yanda, who all retired in 2019, and offensive tackle Richmond Webb, who last played in 2002.

Returning semifinalists include wide receivers Torry Holt, Hines Ward, Anquan Boldin, Reggie Wayne and Steve Smith Jr.; defensive ends Jared Allen and Robert Mathis; tight end Antonio Gates; cornerback Eric Allen; and defensive back Vince Wilfork.

This year’s group was whittled down from an initial pool of 167 nominees and will again be narrowed to 15 before between four and eight inductees are announced at the “NFL Honors” ceremony in February.

The inductees are set to be enshrined at the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, in August.

Should he be inducted, Manning would join father Archie Manning and older brother Peyton Manning as Hall of Famers.

He would become the 33rd Giant to be inducted, joining a list that also includes former teammate Michael Strahan, as well as Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson, Frank Gifford and Bill Parcells.