Why Eli Manning's Second Super Bowl Win Punches His Ticket to Canton

Not only did Eli Manning just one-up his brother in terms of Super Bowl championships, he joined some elite company in winning his second MVP Award on Sunday night. 

The younger Manning enjoys the honor of joining the likes of Bart Starr, Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana and Tom Brady to win multiple Super Bowl MVPs. In doing so, he has cemented his status as one of the most clutch quarterbacks in modern NFL history. You are talking about a quarterback that led his team to eight fourth-quarterback comebacks this season, including in both the NFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl.

At times when greatness is defined and those who thrive under pressure come alive, Manning has showed the entire football world he has ice in those veins. His grace under pressure, ability to get the most of of his teammates and leadership mentality best define what it means to be one of the best players in the league.

The New York Giants are far from perfect. Their offensive line struggled down the stretch, they don't have a good running game and their secondary just isn't too good. These shortcomings led them to become the first nine-win team to win the Super Bowl. This just goes to show you how much Manning means to the team and franchise.

In short, his performance over the course of the last five seasons is pretty much unparalleled in the recent history of the league. His presence on the New York Giants roster has pushed this team out of mediocrity and on the verge of a dynasty.

The comparisons are there and they are simply amazing—maybe Joe Montana with the San Francisco 49ers during the early part of their run in the 1980s. (Yes, I did just compare Manning to the GOAT.) His performances on the biggest stage that the NFL has to offer have been nothing short of stunning.

It goes without saying that Manning has surpassed his brother in terms of success in the NFL. It also goes without saying that Peyton Manning is a sure-fire first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee. So, why wouldn't Eli be?

He could literally hang them up right now, call it a day and be inducted in Canton in just five short years. You have to realize we don't see huge performances like this on a consistent basis in the NFL, or any sport for that matter. Michael Jordan came up huge when it counted the most in the NBA for the Chicago Bulls. Reggie Jackson was coined Mr. October for his tremendous World Series performances for the New York Yankees and, of course, Joe Montana.

It also doesn't hurt that Manning is doing this on the biggest stage, New York City, that professional sports has to offer in North America. The press, the publication and the criticism he has gained over the course of the last few seasons makes this even that much more amazing.

Just imagine the pressure he must have felt when the Giants were down and out at the midway point of the 2011 regular season. Just imagine the criticism and critiques he surely read about on a daily basis. Just imagine the idea of growing up the son of Archie Manning and the younger brother of Peyton Manning. And then coming through like this when it counted the most. This is where true superstars and idols are made. This is also where Eli Manning proved himself to be a step above every other quarterback—Tom Brady included—in the league today.

The 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame class was announced on Saturday. While there were some really good players get the call, none of them can be defined as being the greatest at what they did. Eli Manning might not be the best quarterback in the NFL, but he is when it counts the most.

Don't ever forget what Eli Manning did this season, you will be hard-pressed to ever see it happen again in your lifetime. Consequently, he cemented his status as a Hall of Fame player.