As we speak was the most effective days of my life. I acquired to fulfill and interview my favourite athlete of all time, Eli Manning. Surreal is placing it mildly.
I’ve by no means felt extra of an emotional connection to an athlete than Eli, and I by no means actually considered why till this weekend after I was writing an introduction for him.
I’m a lifelong die-hard Giants and Knicks fan. During the last twenty years, I may need missed a handful of Giants video games on account of issues that have been out of my management. The Knicks have been a joke for a very long time, however I by no means stopped watching. Even through the Isiah years. Actually numerous hours of my life spent with groups that “I’m not on” is how some non-fans would view it.
Typically I envy non-fans who’ve all this time to do different issues. If you add in the truth that there’s little or no pleasure in watching, you begin to marvel what the hell you’re doing losing all of this time. Being a sports activities fan is nothing however disappointment, generally intestine punches, punctuated by transient durations of euphoria, for those who’re very fortunate.
I haven’t had that euphoric feeling but with the Knicks, however I’ve had it twice with the Giants, and a kind of occasions I actually wanted it. 2011 was the worst 12 months of my life. I had no job or something remotely resembling a possibility. That summer time my mother handed after an extended battle with most cancers. I used to be past misplaced. The Giants successful the Tremendous Bowl that season gave me one thing that’s arduous to place into phrases. And Eli was on the heart of it. So yeah, I get emotional concerning the man.
I cried my face off after I wrote the intro. Simply the fruits of every thing I’ve been via, and to have the ability to have this chance, it’s a dream come true. I walked downstairs yesterday to my spouse taking a look at me like, “Now why are you crying?” (I cry fairly typically, so she may not have been as shocked as you’re considering).
I used to be totally ready to wipe the tears off my face in entrance of Eli, however for no matter motive, possibly adrenaline, I used to be capable of hold it collectively.
I had a lot enjoyable recording this. I’m nonetheless on cloud 9. Women and gentleman, Eli Manning.
