Peyton factor helps New York Giants QB Eli Manning ride on huge Indianapolis fan-following – NFL News
The city of Indianapolis had another Manning, New York Giants’ quarterback, Eli Manning, during past week, and he seemed to be equally popular in the local fans, who normally follow his elder brother, Peyton Manning, the Colts quarterback.
Eli’s jerseys and other printed material was on display and sale in the city throughout the week, and all of the stuff was most wanted by the local football community and the fans who had travelled into the city from different parts of the United States
to watch the Super Bowl XLVI.
Giants’ QB had the plus factor of his elder brother who is star of the Indianapolis and despite that the Colts were no where near the playoff or beyond in the 2011 National Football League (NFL) season, he and other members of his family had a large fan-following
in the city.
"I'm pulling for Eli," Colts fan Harry Dimitriaois said. "And it has something to do with Peyton."
Both, Eli and Peyton, are following the example of their father, Archie Manning, who himself had played the league as a quarterback in the past.
They are probably more successful than their father, as Eli had been named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the second time in his career, while Peyton had won that distinction four times. He is the only player on the NFL to have achieved that mark.
Archie Manning was equally impressed with his son performance, without having much aware about the Hall of Fame opportunity for Eli.
"I don't know anything about the Hall of Fame," he said. "Eli's in his eighth year and I know one thing: He might have said earlier in the year that he belonged with the elite quarterbacks."
A large number of local spectators had backed Eli in the Super Bowl game and their support in presence of Peyton Manning was even more evident. They also backed Peyton for his return to Colts.
Among the fans were Peyton and Archie Manning themselves who watched Eli’s game throughout and were supportive of his skills and talent.
Eli, apparently, being pleased by his strong backing by the local fans and the level of their hospitality came out all praising about it.
"It just feels good to win a Super Bowl. Doesn't matter where you are," Manning "I think it's special because of the city here," Archie Manning said. "This city has meant a lot to our family for 14 years, and I've been here all week. The city did a great
job, and this building looked beautiful. Yes, it is special."
The support shown by the locals to Peyton’s younger brother in the Super Bowl game, points at the popularity of all members of the Manning family in the local football community.
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