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WATCH: Eli Manning sends message to Tom Brady after retirement announcement

Nikki Chavanelleby: Nikki Chavanelle02/01/22NikkiChavanelle
WATCH Eli Manning sends message to Tom Brady after retirement announcement
Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning recorded an uncharacteristically sweet message for Tom Brady after the 44-year-old announced his retirement on Tuesday. It was almost totally devoid of references to Manning’s victories over Brady in two Super Bowls.

“Hey Tom, just want to congratulate you on an unbelievable NFL career,” Manning said. “22 years, seven Super Bowls, multiple MVPs, I mean, really, no one did it better than you during your time.

“It was an honor and privilege to watch you compete and watch you play. And to do it at such a high level for so long. In your 22nd year, you were playing as good as you ever were. I watched you win a Super Bowl when I was in college, watched you win a few when I was in the NFL and watched you win one when I was retired. That’s a pretty impressive career right there. Good luck in retirement.”

Manning couldn’t completely leave out his wins in 2008 and 2012 over the New England Patriots but the former Giant did it in a classy way.

“Appreciate your generosity at least sharing a few of those Super Bowls with me, all the best pal,” Manning finished.

NBC New York takes parting shot

A lot less subtle than Eli Manning, NBC New York trolled the former New England QB in their announcement of his retirement on Tuesday.

Their Twitter account shared their story with the tease:

“Tom Brady, who lost 2 Super Bowls to the Giants during his legendary 22-year NFL career, retires.”

The only other team to beat Brady and the Patriots in a Super Bowl was the Philadelphia Eagles. NBC Philadelphia did not troll the quarterback in the same fashion, instead, sharing a cartoon gif of him lounging on the beach, Super Bowl trophy in hand.

Tom Brady officially announces retirement

The winningest quarterback in NFL history announced his retirement after 22 seasons in the league on Tuesday.

Brady made his announcement via Instagram, coupled with a lengthy statement on his retirement.

Brady, now 44, went in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. The Patriots used the 199th-overall pick to select the future first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee.

What ensued was the greatest career of any quarterback in NFL history. Over the course of his 22-year NFL career, Brady threw for 84,520 passing yards, the most in NFL history, and 624 passing touchdowns, also the most in NFL history.