Eli Manning spoke with reporters on Thursday about the ongoing memorabilia scandal within the New York Giants organization, and the quarterback vehemently denied taking part in any wrongdoing.
Manning, who is part of a lawsuit from memorabilia dealers who claim he participated in a fraud scheme, assured reporters he did nothing illegal and said he is being “attacked.”
A very angry Eli Manning on the Giants memorabilia scandal: "I have never done what I've been accused of doing."
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) April 20, 2017
Eli Manning said he takes the accusations personally. "I'm more angry than anything. I've done nothing wrong and I'm still being attacked."
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) April 20, 2017
Manning said "My track record speaks for itself." He's upset about how people have "turned" on him because of the allegations.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) April 20, 2017
There haven't been many times Eli Manning has shown his emotions publicly in his career. This press conference is definitely in the Top 5.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) April 20, 2017
Manning said the accusations have been floating around for years and that he is confident he will be completely exonerated when all the facts come out.
The civil-racketeering lawsuit against the Giants dates back to Manning’s rookie year in 2004. An email Manning sent to an equipment manager in 2010 is supposedly considered a “smoking gun” in the case. You can read the text of the email here.
Earlier in the week, Brandon Steiner of sports memorabilia juggernaut Steiner Sports said in a Facebook live segment that he does not believe Manning would provide anyone with fake gear passed off as game-used.
