EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Before the world would learn his fate, Eli Manning disclosed his decision to his inner circle of football brothers — four or five close friends and former teammates who, at one time, donned Giants blue alongside him.
Hakeem Nicks saw the text message pop up in their group chat Wednesday morning.
Fifteen minutes later, the news broke on TV: Manning was retiring from the NFL.
“I said, 'That was respect,’” Nicks told Yahoo Sports with a smile. “He told his main guys first.”
For 16 seasons, Manning had been the personification of class, the consummate professional, the ultimate teammate and, eventually, a champion.