“I’m going to Disney World!” exclaimed an overwhelmed Super Bowl XLVI most valuable player, Eli Manning, New York Giants quarterback, after being asked “You just won the Super Bowl, what are you going to do next?” Manning paraded down Magic Kingdom’s Main Street Monday afternoon.
With only two hours of sleep, Manning traveled to Orlando and greeted thousands of fans. Mickey Mouse sporting a football uniform sat next to Manning in a red Camaro during the parade.
“It is amazing to see all the number 10 jerseys, the Giants hats, and all the fans supporting the team,” Manning said after exiting the parade.
The tradition of going to Disney World after a Super Bowl started with another Giants quarterback, Phil Simms, who made the trip following the 1986 game. Every year after that, the MVP or another player of the winning team has upheld the tradition.
As a two-time Super Bowl MVP, Manning is the fifth player to return to Disney World following a Super Bowl win. He first celebrated at Disney World in 2008 following his Super Bowl XLII win.
Along with the MVP title, Manning received the keys to a 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible Centennial Edition, to celebrate 100 years of Chevrolet history.
Manning was the only Giants player to travel to Disney World. The rest of the team returned to New Jersey and geared up for the ticker-tape parade down Canyon of Heroes in New York City on Tuesday.
The New York Giants snatched a last minute 21-17 win Sunday over the New England Patriots.
“This one was very special,” he said. “We had to overcome a lot of things throughout the season and I am happy for all my teammates, especially for the guys that are getting the first one like Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, and Mario Manningham.”
Manning completed 30 of 40 passes to eight different receivers for 297 yards during Sunday’s game in Indianapolis. “Hopefully I have a long career ahead of me,” said Manning. “I would like to get an opportunity to get a few more of these. It’s a great feeling.”
Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks grabbed 10 possessions for 109 yards. During the game, wide receiver Victor Cruz scored a touchdown in the first quarter. Running back Ahmad Bradshaw put the Giants over the top with a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
“I am enjoying this victory with my teammates and my coaches,” said Manning. “We will go back home and enjoy being Super Bowl champions for six months and then we will have another season.”
The New York Giants finished the season with a 9-7 record. The team won the NFC East division in the last game of the season against the Dallas Cowboys, to which Manning humbly said, “We need to get better and improve on some things.”
The Giants’ players received a bonus pay of $88,000 for winning the Super Bowl, while the Patriots’ players received a bonus pay of $44,000 for making it to the Super Bowl.
Peyton Manning, Eli’s older brother, has won a Super Bowl and has been the NFL MVP four times. “Peyton congratulated me after the game. My mom was even dancing at last night’s party,” said Manning, who now has one more championship than his older brother.
According to Nielsen ratings, 111.3 million Americans tuned in to see Super Bowl XLVI, making it the most watched television show in U.S. history.
Fans at Disney World waited hours for Manning to arrive. Orlando bartender Jamie Fox called in sick to take the day off and see Manning. “I am a Giants fan first, my job is second.”
