Eli Manning knows how to step up in big moments. That’s been evident after a mostly mediocre NFL playing career that was punctuated by two huge performances in separate Super Bowl championship runs.
He did it once again in a competition perhaps more significant than any championship game – a Pop-a-Shot showdown with the biggest name in basketball today, Caitlin Clark.
Manning, at the age of 44, took on the Indiana Fever star and emerged triumphant. He didn’t just win; he put the WNBA Rookie of the Year to shame.
The final score? 76-51. In football terms, that’s over four scores.
Eli challenges Caitlin Clark to a game of Pop-A-Shot! 🏀
— New York Giants (@Giants) March 6, 2025
Watch The Eli Manning Show: https://t.co/P2CJuoJwvd pic.twitter.com/8dk2hAGU11
Caitlin Clark Gives Eli Manning His Flowers
Eli Manning, after going toe-to-toe with Caitlin Clark in Pop-a-Shot, clearly sensed he had achieved greatness.
“High score?” he shouted, hands held triumphantly skyward. “Did I just set the high score?”
A sheepish Clark admitted he had, later adding, “Give it up for Eli.”
The WNBA star had tried to offer a pre-emptive excuse for her performance, noting that “I’m actually really bad at Pop-A-Shot.”
Manning wasn’t buying it – “I don’t believe it” – and smartly didn’t take his foot off the pedal. Bro must have thought he was taking on the New England Patriots again.
The former New York Giants quarterback later admitted he’d been training for the big competition.
“I’ve been practicing,” he confessed. “A lot. I’ve been here all week.”
Now, Let’s See Them Go At It On The Real Basketball Court
Alright, alright, Eli. You got your moment of glory in Pop-a-Shot. But let’s see Manning take on Caitlin Clark on the hardwood.
After seeing the following video, he might not want any of that noise. It’s a three-minute clip of Clark working on her outside shooting. As if she needs any more work on it. Watch this, frankly, unbelievable session.
Caitlin Clark shot 50-for-54 from three on her birthday.
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) January 22, 2025
read that again. pic.twitter.com/bCEVvYdLNl
Clark hits 50 out of 54 shots from downtown. For those mathematically challenged, that’s just shy of 93% from three-point land.
We reiterate, 50 for 54 from three-point range. That is, in a word, absurd. Just an absolute beast from long range.
We’re guessing Eli will stick to the Pop-a-Shot competitions.
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