4 Most Iconic Moments of Eli Manning's Career

It is officially the end of an era in the Big Apple.

The New York Giants recently announced that quarterback Eli Manning intends to announce his retirement from the NFL after 16 years in the league. After a career filled with crazy plays and moments, here are the four most iconic moments of Manning's career.

4. 2011-2012 NFC Championship Game

Eli Manning excelled in one of the gutsiest games of his career here. After constantly putting the team in positions to win the game and being let down by his special teams unit, the Giants managed to scrape by in overtime. Eli put together a solid performance of 32-of-58 with 316 yards and two touchdowns, but most importantly he held onto the ball, managing not to throw an interception.

3. 2004 Draft Controversy

Eli Manning was quickly traded to the Giants in 2004 after the Chargers took him with the No. 1 pick / Tom Berg/Getty Images

One of the most iconic moments in Eli Manning's illustrious Giants' career was how he became a Giant. In the 2004 Draft the San Diego Chargers took the quarterback out of Ole Miss with the No. 1 overall pick, despite Manning letting it be known publicly that he would not play for the franchise. Manning was a Charger for a whole 45 minutes, as right after the Giants selected quarterback Philip Rivers with the No. 4 overall pick, the G-Men traded Rivers, a 1st, 3rd, and 5th for the younger Manning. It is safe to say that it worked out well for New York.

2. Perfect Sideline Pass to Mario Manningham: Super Bowl XLVI

The second-best moment of Manning's career is what might be one of the greatest throws of all time. This pinpoint 38-yard dart on the sideline to Mario Manningham with 3:45 left in the game is absolutely ridiculous. With this effort Manning again beat the New England Patriots to secure his second Super Bowl victory and second Super Bowl MVP. The clutch-ness as well as the skill involved in the play would make this the greatest play ever for 99.9% of NFL players, but not for this Manning.

1. David Tyree's Helmet Catch: Super Bowl XLII

Manning's best moment came on the biggest of stages in what is one of the best plays in NFL history. On 3rd-and-5 with only 1:15 left in the game Manning miraculously avoided a surefire sack and launched the ball down the field to David Tyree, who pinned the ball on his helmet to secure the catch. The Giants ended up scoring on this drive to win Super Bowl XLII and beat the New England Patriots, who had not lost a game up until that point and were in contention for the greatest football team ever. Manning's first Super Bowl MVP could not have come in more spectacular fashion.