WATCH: Eli Manning brings jokes, light-hearted touch to Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame enshrinement

Ole Miss is some 20 years removed from its thrilling 31-28 win over Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl. 

Eli Manning — the all-time Rebel great — had three total touchdowns in what was the first January bowl game for Ole Miss since 1970. The Rebels had last appeared in the Cotton Bowl in 1962. 

Manning was in his last college game before ultimately becoming the No. 1 overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft. He went on to win two Super Bowl titles with the New York Giants. He was named Super Bowl MVP in both games. 

Manning retired from football in July of 2021 after 16 NFL seasons. He holds almost every passing record in Giants history. Manning will become eligible for Hall of Fame enshrinement in 2025. 

But he didn’t have to wait as long for his Cotton Bowl immortality. 

Manning this week was one of seven inductees honored in the 13th class of the Cotton Bowl Classic Hall of Fame. He joined Florida State defensive back Terrell Buckley, Texas A&M quarterback Edd Hargett, Auburn linebacker Will Herring, past Cotton Bowl Athletic Association chairman Fred McClure, Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel and Missouri running back Tony Temple.

“I’m thrilled to be a member of the 2023 Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame,” Manning said to the AT&T Stadium audience gathered in Dallas, Texas, on Thursday for the HoF ceremony. 

“To be associated with names like Jim Brown, Ernie Davis Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Sammy Baugh (and) Joe Montana is one of the great honors of my life.”

Of course, the almost-always light-hearted Manning quickly pivoted to a joke.

“One of the guys I’m most excited to be mentioned amongst is one my fellow members here, Terrell Buckley,” Manning said. “And I’ll tell you why.”

Buckley previously served as Ole Miss cornerbacks coach. He’s currently the head coach of the XFL’s Orlando Guardians. The Guardians this season rostered former Rebel punter Mac Brown. 

Manning continued, “Terrell is the recipient of my brother, Peyton’s, very first interception in the NFL. To top if off? He also caught his second interception in the NFL. Thank you, Terrell.”

Each member of this year’s crop of Cotton Bowl Hall of Famers received a personalized bronze statue in the likeness of a 1930s football player — the era in which the bowl game was founded.

Manning, in the 68th Classic, led the Rebels on three long scoring drives to help build a comfortable 31-14 lead over Oklahoma State. However, the Cowboys fought back and pulled within three with 4:38 left to play. 

Manning responded by guiding the Rebels on another time-consuming march to run out the clock and claim the three-point win.

Manning was a four-year letterwinner for the Rebels from 2000-03.

He won the Maxwell Award as a senior — an honor given out each year to the best all-around player in college football. Manning set or tied 47 Ole Miss single‑game, season and career records.

He also became the highest NFL Draft selection in program history. Manning bested the mark of his father, Archie, another all-time Ole Miss great. Archie Manning was taken No. 2 overall by the New Orleans Saints in 1971.

“The Cotton Bowl against Oklahoma State was my very last college football game that I played in,” Eli Manning said. “Winning that game is one of the greatest thrills of my life.”

“There is nothing quite like our Hall of Fame celebration,” said Dave Brown, the chairman of the CBAA. “It is a special time where we have a chance to relive great moments from the past and honor those truly exceptional people who have built our game’s traditions.”