New York Giants: Tom Coughlin Discusses His Thoughts And Feelings On The Eli Manning Benching

Tom Coughlin, former New York Giants head coach and current Jacksonville Jaguars Executive VP of football operations  held his annual Champions for Children Gala event in New York City on Friday night. The event honors cancer patients, philanthropists, and celebrities committed to tackling childhood cancer. Plenty of current and former New York Giants players and personnel were in attendance.

I was also in attendance as a member of the press for Empire Sports Media, a “community of die-hards” striving to bring you the best New York sports coverage. Tom Coughlin found time to talk to members of the press during the event.

While speaking with the media, Coughlin was questioned by ESPN reporter Jordan Raanan on how Tom Coughlin felt about the Giants’ recent decision to bench Eli Manning. Coughlin gave an exclusive anecdote of the situation and revealed his true thoughts and feelings:

The Coughlin And Shurmur Anecdote:

Tom Coughlin shared the story of how and when he found out about the Giants’ decision to bench Eli Manning in favor of the rookie Daniel Jones. Coughlin details the moment when Giants head coach Pat Shurmur reached out to Coughlin:

“Pat Shurmur actually said to me, ‘he’s your guy and I wanted you to know I had a very difficult thing today and I know [Eli’s] you’re guy.”

When asked for clarification on whether Pat Shurmur reached out to Coughlin the day the decision made, Tom was difinitive, saying “He did.”

Coughlin’s True Feelings On Eli Manning:

Tom Coughlin openly stated that he has a “special relationship with Eli [Manning].” When the news came down last week, Tom Coughlin did speak with Eli Manning and offered him some advice.

What I say to him is, I knew when this happened, he knows he has my one-hundred percent support. [I knew] he would handle it with class and with dignity and he will help the young guy just like Kurt Warner helped him. That’s who Eli is. – Tom Coughlin at the 2019 Champions For Childrens Gala

When Pat Shurmur informed Tom Coughlin of his difficult decision, Coughlin reaffirmed his true feelings about Eli Manning, stating: “Yeah, he is my guy, and he’ll always be my guy.”

Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin have always had a very publicly strong, father-and-son-like relationship (seen evidently at Tom Coughlin’s resignation speech in 2016). It is pleasing for Giants fans to see that these two New York legends have continued their strong relationship despite parting ways within the sport.

It is also highly encouraging for Giants fans to see current head coach Pat Shurmur handle this monumental moment with such class and respect toward Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin.

The Video Clip:

Below is a video clip of Tom Coughlin’s interview at the 2019 Champions for Children Gala in New York City.