The rivalry between NFL GOAT Tom Brady and the Manning brothers was unmatched. It was an era that saw both Peyton Manning and Eli Manning stand tall against Brady and his dominance in the NFL back then. It also led to the birth of one of the greatest rivalries in the NFL, where both Eli and Peyton Manning were considered kryptonite and the cause of Brady not being able to add more Super Bowl rings in his career. 

But while the Manning brothers were QBs who made it difficult for Brady on the field, there may be another person who Brady might hate more than them. And according to Eli Manning, his own mother is one of the reasons why Brady had to retire while winning just seven Super Bowls during his 23-season career. 

Eli Manning blames his mother for Tom Brady not making it to double digits 

Brady is considered to be the NFL GOAT because of his dominance as a QB who won six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With such a glorious career, he certainly will be the pinnacle of success that future QBs will like to achieve in the NFL. But there might have been a chance of Brady actually winning more than seven super bowls, according to his former NFL rival Eli Manning.

Once, during Julian Edelman’s podcast, ‘Games with Names’, the former Brady teammate questioned Eli if the Manning brothers reminisce about their rivalry with Brady on the field. Eli Manning went on to joke about how there may be a possibility that TB12 “hates his mom” because she gave birth to two QBs who got in Brady’s way on the field. He jokingly said, “If it weren’t for Olivia Manning, Tom would have like 12 Super Bowls probably.”

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And it may be true, as both Peyton and Eli Manning were able to thwart Brady’s dominance on the field during their playing days.

The Manning Brothers defeated Brady four times

When Eli Manning was playing with the New York Giants, he defeated Tom Brady and the Patriots twice. The first time was in 2008, when the Giants went on to clinch the Lombardi Trophy after beating the undefeated Patriots 17-14, making it an 18-1 season for them. The second time was in 2012 when the Giants were able to upset Brady once more in a 21-17 victory. On the other hand, even Peyton Manning hindered Brady’s Super Bowl chances twice. The first victory for Peyton Manning came in 2007 after he defeated the Patriots to win the AFC championship and go on to clinch the Lombardi Trophy in a 28-17 win against the Chicago Bears as a member of the Colts. The second time happened in 2016 after he once again went on to win the Super Bowl final with the Denver Broncos against the Carolina Panthers.

The era of Brady versus the Manning brothers was definitely one of the greatest eras for QBs that fans witnessed. And one might ponder if the NFL GOAT would have been able to add more trophies to his cabinet, had the Manning brothers not played in the NFL during his 23-season career. 

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