In recent months, we’ve begun to explore how different professional athletes have shaped the way our young athletes view sports in general. In many ways, children have always viewed the world through the lens of their heroes, be their mythological, fictional, or in the case of professional sports, very real. And in the past few decades, few football players have captured the collective attention of kids and fans everywhere, as Eli Manning.
As parents, we love when there are athletes out there who can provide positive examples for our children, Sadly, there are few professional athletes like that these days. Fortunately, Eli Manning is one of the good ones. Known for his calm leadership, perseverance, and team-first attitude, Manning built one of the most respected careers in professional football.
There is no doubt that Mannings accomplishments on the field are impressive, but many of the lessons young athletes can learn from his journey have little to do with statistics or championships, and everything to do with his character. In this article, we will talk about Eli Manning, his personal story, athletic accomplishments, and how he has helped inspire young athletes the world over.
Growing Up in a Football Family
Anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock for the past few years will know that Eli Manning is not the only member of his family who has become a football legend. In fact, he was born into one of football’s most famous families. Eli’s father, Archie Manning, once played quarterback in the NFL himself. Meanwhile, his brother Peyton has become one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of football.
Now, one might presume that growing up around football would be a young athlete’s dream, but though the situation provided ample opportunities, it also came with certain challenges. When your father is a football star, people expect certain things of you. This pressure to follow in his family’s footsteps would have been enough, but add onto that Eli’s athletic siblings, and you have a recipe for uncertainty. For young, there was a desire to prove himself by being “just as good” as his father and siblings, but there was also a desire to find his own identity as an athlete.
Success Doesn’t Happen Overnight
In time, Eli realized that he could succeed by being himself rather than trying to become someone everyone else expected him to be. And that is what it took really, time. All athletic development takes time and practice, repetition, and above all else, patience. As a young athlete, Eli worked on the same things his peers did, throwing, tackling, physical conditioning. At the same time, he improved his decision-making and leadership skills.
Learning Leadership
Quarterbacks are often seen as the proverbial “leaders” of the football field. These are individuals who direct the team, start plays, and often take on leadership roles outside of the gameplay itself. Eli Manning found, as he progressed through high school and college football, that leadership was actually something that came quite naturally to him.
He was good at listening to his coaches, supporting his teammates, taking responsibility, and staying calm under pressure. Moreover, he was good at communicating with his coaches and teammates, a skill that would serve him in other arenas later in life. After all, a good leader can use those same skills in other areas of their life as well.
College Success at University of Mississippi
In college, Eli Manning attended the University of Mississippi, commonly known as Ole Miss. His skills, work ethic, knowledge of the sport, and leadership qualities helped him to become one of the top college quarterbacks in the country. Even in his fledgling career, Eli Manning was showing young athletes the importance of hard work, practice, and preparedness. These qualities presented him with even more opportunities as he finished his college career…
Handling Pressure and Expectations
After college, Eli entered the NFL and even after proving himself time and again throughout high school and college, there were still enormous expectations placed upon him. As the son of Archie Manning and brother of Peyton Manning, people constantly compared him to other quarterbacks. And this is something that many athletes feel, regardless of the level of play.
On a smaller scale, young athletes might feel pressure from parents, coaches, peers, friends, or even their own expectations for themself; which are often more unrealistic than all the others combined. One of the ways Eli Manning counteracted this undue pressure was to stay focused on his own, personal improvement rather than letting outside opinions dictate how he should play.
Overcoming Challenges
Eli Manning was not perfect; no one is. He experienced the same tough losses and criticism from fans and media as any other professional athlete. Yet, even during difficult stretches of poor performance, he responded with positivity and preparation. Sports are going to have setbacks, no matter what level you play them at. The trick is learning how to be resilient, to handle disappointment constructively and turn each loss into an eventual win down the line.
Winning the Biggest Games
Today, Eli Manning might be best known for leading the New York Giants to two Super Bowl victories. In both championships, his team defeated the heavily favored New England Patriots. This is not just because of the team’s performance on the field, but the prepwork and teamwork they used to make those games some of their best. It is a lesson to young athletes that, oftentimes, success can be built long before the game begins.
Sportsmanship and Character
Throughout his career, Manning earned respect not only for his performance but also for his behavior off the field. He has proven to be a pillar of his community, giving back in many different charities and events. He is also well known for the respect, professionalism, and positivity he displays. He is a prime example of a person whose actions and candor can help a young athlete develop the same good qualities of character, if they only look to him as a role model.
Cultured Athlete Says…
As you can see, it doesn’t matter if your child dreams of playing football, baseball, or some other sport entirely, Eli Manning’s example serves as a lesson to all. Eli Manning’s football career might be quite impressive to behold, but his championship wins are nothing when compared to the perseverance, leadership, and humility he displays.
His story resonates with young and seasoned athletes because it serves as a remind that success takes time. In most cases, growth only comes from putting in consistent effort. Working hard, supporting one’s teammates, and staying resilient through challenges are all paths to success.
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