Eli Manning is set to announce his retirement from the NFL.

After graduating from the University of Mississipi, Eli Manning was drafted first overall in the 2004 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers. Manning was promptly traded to the New York Giants, the team that he would stay with for the rest of his storied NFL career. As Quarterback for the Giants, Manning became the unmistakable face of the franchise. From 2004 onwards it was impossible to wander down any street in New York or New Jersey on a Sunday without seeing Manning's number 10 plastered in bright white on the back of a loyal fan's jersey.

Over the course of his career, Manning threw the ball for 57,023 passing yards, the seventh most in NFL history. He also boasts 366 touchdown passes and 4,895 completions. His Super Bowl victories over the Tom Brady-led New England Patriots earned him the prestigious title of Super Bowl MVP twice. He was picked for the Pro Bowl four times. Manning was also incredibly loyal to his organization, spending sixteen seasons with one of the first franchises in NFL history. Manning started 234 games for the Giants, making him the QB with the fourth-most starts for a single franchise.

Giants fans and haters alike recognize Manning as the undisputed leader of the franchise. On a field of literal Giants, Manning always received the majority of the attention, for better or for worse. He was treated like a god in the days following the team's two Super Bowl victories and was a magnet for frustration during the team's recent subpar seasons. Regardless, he is still Eli. In the hearts of Giants fans, he and Phil Simms are legends of the game. I have spent enough afternoons listening to WFAN to know just how passionate Giants fans feel about Eli.

Growing up in Jersey, the Giants were second in my heart to my family-favorite Dolphins. Yet, I still proudly wore a Manning jersey to school following their victory over the Patriots in the 2008 Super Bowl. I was captivated by the story of the Manning brothers. I marveled at the idea that one family could produce two of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. In 2012, I yet again rooted for the boys in blue. The Giants were my hometown team and besides, there was no way that I could abstain from the infectious adoration for Eli Manning. I imagine that he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in five years and while some may argue about its merits, that honor will be well deserved.