Though Eli Manning has retired from the field, his heart remains with both his alma mater and the NFL franchise where he cemented his legacy.
After the New York Giants selected Jaxson Dart in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Manning’s excitement bubbled over.
The Giants’ social media team captured the moment perfectly, sharing Manning’s heartfelt message to the rookie quarterback.
“Jaxson, congratulations on being drafted by the New York Giants. Obviously, there’s a strong connection between Ole Miss quarterbacks and the Giants going back to Charlie Conerly, and I’m excited that tradition will continue with you,” Manning said.
From one Ole Miss QB to another pic.twitter.com/MfU1Aaaakg
— New York Giants (@Giants) April 25, 2025
The impact of Manning’s words wasn’t lost on Dart, who was visibly moved after watching the video and described the moment as deeply meaningful.
Manning had been a childhood hero long before Dart arrived at Ole Miss, and their relationship grew during his college years.
Since Manning hung up his cleats in 2019, the Giants have struggled to find their next franchise quarterback.
Daniel Jones was supposed to be the answer, but his tenure proved disappointing.
Six years of inconsistent play marked by turnovers and missed opportunities finally led general manager Joe Schoen to turn the page in 2024, ending the Jones experiment.
As Dart prepares to don the iconic uniform, he carries not just the hopes of a franchise but the blessing of a Giants legend who once walked the same path to New York.
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