Apparently Eli Manning Would Always Drink On The Team Bus, Had A Beer Guy At Every NFL Stadium, And Avoided Pictures Because He Didn't Want More Goofy Eli Faces On Social Media

ESPN- Eli Manning always drank beer on the team bus. It was a Broadway Joe kind of thing to do, and a fact that might run counter to an image Manning spent absolutely no time crafting. But win, lose or draw, Manning would find someone on the road to buy him a six-pack or 12-pack that he would carry to the back of the bus, on ice, and share with some veterans as they discussed the game on the ride to the airport.

Even then, Manning's consistency stunned his New York Giants teammates. "It was unbelievable," said Lawrence Tynes, the kicker who won two championships with the quarterback. "He had a guy in every f---ing stadium in the league to get him that beer." 

THAT'S. MY. MOTHERFUCKING. QUARTERBACK. Only a few days ago, the internet (present company included) was reveling in joy watching quiet ol' Eli bro it up with his clone like an old frat brother reliving the glory days on alumni weekend with the kid that filled his role in the frat, right down to the haircut and the almost awkward awww shucks demeanor.

However, it turns out Eli has been playing the prototypical role of QB1 to a tee behind all those cliche press conferences and watch commercials. I'm not saying Elisha Nelson Manning was showing up to games plastered like Tim Riggins or anything. But having a few cold ones on the bus with the fellas while breaking down what just happened on the battlefield is the mark of a great leader no matter what industry you are in. It also didn't matter if Eli was in the home swamp of New Jersey or in enemy territory where people piss on Giants jerseys. There was always someone in the stadium ready to get 10 a case for the bus ride back to the airport. You know why?

You don't beat the greatest coach and QB twice in the biggest game in the universe by simply having two grapefruits hanging between your legs or being unbreakable. You have to have the respect of everyone in that locker room to keep everything in check, which it sounds like Eli did in spades.

"He's the most consistent human being I've ever played with," Lawrence Tynes said. "If you can build a player to handle playing quarterback in New York, you would build an Eli." Said another former teammate, Shaun O'Hara: "I never heard him say, 'Man, I was slinging it today.' Or, 'Did you see that throw to [David] Tyree or to [Mario] Manningham?' He never once bragged about any throw, any play or any game."

Which is why I think Eli would occasionally turn down a photo request knowing that any off-timed blink or sneak attack sneeze could turn him into yet another Manning Face Meme.

Around his home in Summit, New Jersey, or around his mansion in the Hamptons, or around his favorite Manhattan haunts, Manning was almost always willing to sign autographs for fans, even the most intrusive ones who interrupted his dinner. He sometimes declined requests for pictures when he was out, according to one friend, because he tired of his photos contributing to the social media wave of goofy Eli faces.

It can't be easy having the most made fun of face in all of sports. But Eli did what he had to do to keep his biggest weakness in check, which was unfortunately his face. Based on everything I've read about Eli from the time he popped out of the queen of football's royal family, he doesn't really give a fuck what average people like you or I think about him. But he probably cares a whole lot about what the other 52 guys in that locker room think about him and constantly being chirped on social media for looking all sorts of out of sorts is bad for business. So shout out to Eli for still being a beloved and relatable star player in New York while also avoiding any more gems like that flip cup video and this throwback gem from leaking despite living in a town with more bars per square feet than anywhere else in America and across from a city of sin that never sleeps.

Don't cry for Eli though, because something tells me everything worked out OK for him in the end.

God I am going to miss that big goofy bastard.