Eli Manning Slams Miami Hurricanes Players Over Their Actions Following National Championship Game Loss To Indiana

Eli Manning thought Miami could have handled things a lot better.

Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning thinks the Miami Hurricanes should have displayed better sportsmanship after their heartbreaking loss to the Indiana Hoosiers in the national championship game on Monday.

Albert Breer on Best Fits for Steelers and Ravens, 18 Game Schedule Update

Eli Manning knows all about monumental victories and crushing defeats. He won two Super Bowls during his illustrious career, both against the New England Patriots, but also suffered four playoff losses.

Indiana defeated Miami 27-21 to win the school’s first college football national championship. Jamari Sharpe sealed the game for the Hoosiers by picking off Carson Beck with less than a minute to go.

After the game, cameras caught Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr. punching Hoosiers defensive tackle Tyrique Tucker. The two continued to exchange words until a Miami assistant broke up the altercation.

Additionally, Beck received criticism for skipping the standard postgame handshake with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Eli Manning expressed disappointment over Miami’s postgame actions. He advised the Hurricanes to stay classy, whether you win or lose:

“It’s never easy. You know, you’re working all year long to try to win a championship, and you’re finally in that situation. And it’s devastating. It’s devastating to not win that situation. Sometimes, doing nothing is OK, rather than acting out, making a big scene. So, that’s just part of sports. You gotta win with grace, you gotta lose with grace and kind of handle both things the same way.”

TotalProSports Google News Logo

Manning spent his college career at Ole Miss, from 1999 to 2003. He was drafted first overall by the San Diego Chargers in 2004, only to get traded to the Giants after demanding a trade from the Bolts.

Eli Manning Played 16 Seasons In The NFL

Eli Manning (Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images)
The four-time Pro Bowler spent his entire playing career with the Giants, spanning from 2004 to 2019. He made seven starts as a rookie before taking over as the full-time starter in the 2005 campaign.

Eli Manning completed 60.3 percent of his pass attempts for 57,023 yards, 366 touchdowns and 244 interceptions, per Pro Football Reference. Though he was remarkably inconsistent (a 117-117-0 QB record), Manning cemented his legacy with a pair of Super Bowl championships.

He led the underdog Giants on game-winning drives against the dynastic Patriots in Super Bowls 42 and 46. Manning was named the MVP of both games, too.