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Eli Manning has mastered the art of building a life after football.
After hanging up his cleats as a “always” and “only” New York Giant for 16 seasons, Manning has always been heavily involved in football, adding broadcasting and even flag football coaching to his resume.
But there is one aspect of the sport that he has never practiced and that he will finally be able to cross off his list.
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Quarterback Eli Manning of the New York Giants poses with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Giants defeated the Patriots by a score of 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The two-time Super Bowl MVP, alongside Kylie Kelce, will officiate the Toyota Glow-Up Classic, a glow-in-the-dark flag football all-star game for the Bay Area’s notable female athletes, played on the same field as the Pro Bowl. Toyota has donated $3 million annually to flag football, helping more than 300,000 youth players across the country.
Brock Purdy and Jordan Love are expected to serve as team captains, with Christian Gonzalez and Kyle Hamilton serving as defensive coordinators, and Puka Nacua and Michael Pittman Jr. calling the offensive plays.
“It’s amazing. I played flag football growing up, fifth, sixth, seventh grade, and I really loved it. I loved that era. I thought that was a big part of my success in football, my love of football and where it came from. Now my kids play flag football, and I think it’s just a great way to introduce the game,” Manning told PK Press Club Digital in a recent interview. “I think the fact that more female athletes are playing flag football and getting involved in football is amazing.”
NFC head coach Eli Manning celebrates after his team won the tug of war challenge after the third quarter of the NFL Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium on February 2, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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Manning is well aware that football officials haven’t really gotten the benefit of the doubt, especially after last weekend, so he’s been watching more film.
“We studied ‘what is a trap?’ That’s the idea. In these playoff games, we have to figure out what’s a trap and what’s not. I think we figured that out,” Manning said confidently.
“I’m ready to take on whatever comes my way. It’s easy to watch a replay 25 times and figure out what the right decision is, but being there live in the action, it’ll be fun.”
Manning has won three Pro Bowls as a coach since it turned into a flag football competition, all against his brother Peyton, which is “really the highlight of it all.” But with the arrival of flag football at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028, Manning has not ruled out being on the sidelines.
“Hey, you never know,” he said. “It’s been so much fun the last few years coaching the Pro Bowl. To be with these great, great athletes, these guys have bought in. The NFL players in the Pro Bowl and the fact that we play flag football, but a lot of them played flag football growing up, and we’re excited to get back to it and not have to wear helmets, to show off their beauty and their celebrations afterwards. That’s what it was all about.” It was fun to be a part of that.
NFC head coach Eli Manning leads a meeting during a practice session before an NFL Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium on February 4, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
“But now I’m excited to become a referee. Now I’m not affecting just one team. I can be with all the teams and all the players without having to support just one team. I’m supporting everyone and for the greater good of the game.”
