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Eli Manning has mastered the art of building a life after football.
After hanging up the cleats as “always” and “just” a New York Giant for 16 seasons, Manning has still been heavily involved in football, adding broadcasting and even flag football coaching to his resume.
But there’s one aspect of the sport you’ve never played before that you can finally check off your list.
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New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning poses with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Giants defeated the Patriots by a score of 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The two-time Super Bowl MVP, along with Kylie Kelce, will officiate the Toyota Glow-Up Classic, a glow-in-the-dark football all-star game for top Bay Area athletes, played on the same field as the Pro Bowl. Toyota has donated $3 million a year to flag football, helping more than 300,000 youth players nationwide.
Brock Purdy and Jordan Love will be the team captains, Christian González and Kyle Hamilton will be the defensive coordinators, and Puka Nacua and Michael Pittman Jr. will call the offensive plays.
“This is incredible. I played flag football as a kid, in fifth, sixth and seventh grade, and I loved it. I loved that time. I thought that was a big part of my success in football, my love of football and where it came from. Now, I have my kids playing flag football, and I think it’s a great way to introduce the game,” Manning told Pak Gazette Digital in a recent interview. “I think the fact that more female athletes are playing flag football and getting involved in soccer is amazing.”
NFC head coach Eli Manning celebrates after his team wins the tug-of-war challenge following the third quarter of the NFL Pro Bowl games at Camping World Stadium on February 2, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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Manning is well aware that football officials haven’t exactly gotten the benefit of the doubt, especially after last weekend, so he’s been watching more tape.
“We’ve been studying ‘what is a trap?’ That’s the idea. In these playoff games, we have to figure out what is cheating and what is not. I think we understand that,” said a confident Manning.
“I’m ready for whatever comes my way. It’s easy to watch a play in slow motion 25 times and figure out what the right decision is, but being there live in the action will be fun.”
Manning has won three Pro Bowls as a coach since he became a flag football contest, all against his brother Peyton, which is “really the highlight of it all.” But with flag football coming to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, Manning isn’t ruling out staying on the sidelines.
“Hey, you never know,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun the last few years coaching the Pro Bowl. Being around these great, great athletes, these guys embraced it. The NFL players in the Pro Bowl and the fact that we played flag football, but a lot of them played flag football growing up, and we’re excited to get back to that and not have to wear a helmet, show off their good looks and their celebrations afterwards. That’s what it was all about. It was fun to be a part of that.
NFC head coach Eli Manning leads a huddle during a practice session prior to an NFL Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium on February 4, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
“But now, I’m excited to be a referee. Now I’m just not affecting one team. I can be around all the teams and all the players and not have to support just one team. I’m supporting everyone and for the greater good of the game.”
