Watching the only head coach he's ever had in the NFL officially say goodbye was almost too much for Eli Manning Tuesday.
The Giants quarterback was among a number of players who showed up to Tom Coughlin's press conference where he announced he was stepping down after 12 years of guiding the team. And when the cameras caught of glimpse of Manning while Coughlin addressed him, the QB was visibly fighting back tears.
Coughlin, who had one year remaining on his contract, told the 35 year old signal caller he wasn't to blame for the Giants 6-9 season and his early departure.
“He thinks he's the reason. Eli, it’s not you, it’s us. We win and we lose together. When we lose, I lose. When we win, you guys win. That’s the game. He’s gonna be right back in here in about two days starting to work on next year just like he always does.”
Don't tell Manning there's no crying in football.
Despite being the oldest coach in the NFL this past season at age 69, Coughlin did not say he was officially retiring from coaching and left open the door to possibly returning to the sidelines.
[h/t Larry Brown Sports]
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