Dear Eli

The first quarterback I ever watched play. The man that made me fall in love with the best sport. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. All of my childhood, you were my favorite player. You were the leader of the New York Football Giants for 14 tumultuous seasons, until current ownership stripped away the last dignity that the team had. I knew when I turned on the Giants game, every Sunday, you'd be there, leading us. Players came and gone, as did coaches. But you remained loyal. You certainly weren't the "sexiest" player to come along, that honor goes to OBJ, but you were always there for me. When people would make fun of me for you being my favorite player, I pointed to your two incredible Super Bowl rings, two times you proved the entire world wrong, and won for New York. You put the city on your back. You always took the blame, even when it wasn't your fault, like last January in Green Bay. People always ask me why I'm a Giants fan, and you are the answer. So when I got the report on my phone that Geno Smith was replacing you, my heart sank. You did everything for this team, and for them to treat you like that, well, my heart goes out to you Eli. I hope you lead another team next year and capture another super bowl. I know it's still in you. I'll always love the Giants because of you, but it won't be the same. You are, by far, the greatest quarterback in Giant history, and I wish we all knew it at the time. But you don't know the good old days until they're gone.

I had the honor of being at your last game. I didn't know it at the time, but it made everything even more special, to be with you full circle. While it wasn't the way you should have gone, I'm glad that I was there for it.

So thank you Eli. You're a class act, future hall of fame quarterback who made me love the game. And I'll never forget it.