Ole Miss Football Set to Retire Eli Manning's No.10

ATHENS, GA – NOVEMBER 9: Quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the University of Mississippi Rebels attempts to pass the ball during the SEC game against the University of Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on November 9, 2002 in Athens, Georgia. Georgia won 31-17. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

On Monday June 22nd, Eli Manning was visited by current Ole Miss Athletic Director, Keith Carter. He went down to the Rebel legend’s home (in Oxford) to let him know that his jersey would be retired by the school’s football program this upcoming fall. The ceremony is scheduled (barring unforeseen circumstances) for September 19th 2020, when the Rebels host the Auburn Tigers in Vaught Hemingway Stadium. Manning is only the third Rebel to get his football jersey retired, joining Chucky Mullins (No.38) and his father Archie Manning (No.18).

Eli Manning spent 4 seasons with the Rebels (2000-2004) perfecting his craft. In his stupendous collegiate career Eli threw for 10,119 yards and tossed 81 touchdowns, both of which are school records. Those aren’t the only school records that belong to Eli, he also holds the school record for career completions/passing attempts (829/1,363) throughout his 4 year tenure with Ole Miss.

There have been quite a few players to don the No.10 for the Rebels after 2004. Recent quarterbacks that have worn no.10 for Ole Miss have been Chad Kelly (2015-2016) and Jordan Ta’amu (2017-2018). During the 2019 season quarterback John Rhys Plumlee and linebacker Jacquez Jones both wore the no.10. Ole Miss will be allowing QB John Rhys Plumlee to continue to wear the number until he’s done playing for the program. He will be the last player to ever wear the number for the school’s football program.

This is surely a somewhat strange time to see No.10 finally retired because Manning played his last game for the Rebels in the Cotton Bowl on January 2nd 2004. In his final game he threw for 259 yards, a pair of touchdowns, with a completion percentage of 71%, and a win in the bowl game against Oklahoma State. So why does No.10 get retired over 16 years later of the legendary quarterback’s final collegiate game?

It may not have come at a better time because the former number 1 overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft just recently wrapped up his professional career for the New York Giants this past January. Eli played all 16 seasons with the Giants, including two Super Bowl championships (2007 and 2011) and was named Super Bowl MVP for both games against two historically great New England Patriot teams.

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