Eli Manning joins Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s Board of Directors

The former New York Giants quarterback is literally throwing his career to the dogs, joining the New York-based nonprofit.

Though retired, Eli Manning is coming through in the clutch for New York one last time.

The former New York Giants quarterback is moving up the depth chart for Empire State-based nonprofit Guiding Eyes for the Blind, appointed to its board of directors. Situated in Yorktown Heights, Guiding Eyes for the Blind breeds and trains seeing-eye dogs for the visually impaired.

“I am thrilled to continue my journey with Guiding Eyes for the Blind as a member of the Board of Directors,” Manning said in a statement. “I have had years of practice working with a dedicated team of individuals towards a common goal. I hope to use that experience to champion Guiding Eyes, which means so much to me and my entire family.”

Manning’s association with the organization as a volunteer has lasted 15 years, nearly as long as his uninterrupted tenure as the Giants’ starting quarterback. Last summer, for example, Manning and his family helped name a new litter of Labrador Retriever puppies. Among the names were “Blue”, likely inspired by his former NFL employers, and “Oxford”, a name that stems from the town where Manning, his father Archie, and brother Cooper spent their college days at the University of Mississippi.

Manning has also served as the host for the organization’s annual golf outing in Westchester County.

“We are honored to appoint Eli Manning to the Guiding Eyes’ Board of Directors,” President and CEO of Guiding Eyes for the Blind Thomas Panek added in the release. “He has been a committed volunteer and partner to Guiding Eyes for many years and has a wealth of knowledge to bring to the table. We are all glad to be on Eli’s team.”

“Eli’s leadership and commitment are legendary, and Guiding Eyes will benefit tremendously from these skills,” said John Donnelly, Board Chair for Guiding Eyes for the Blind in the same statement. “Eli has spent time with us and learned first hand how our dogs enable people to live independent lives.”

Founded in 1954, Guiding Eyes for the Blind has graduated over 8,000 guide dog teams in that span. The organization runs solely on donations and the efforts of volunteers. For more on Guiding Eyes for the Blind, visit their website.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags