Tom Coughlin’s final message leaves Eli Manning in tears

NFL coach Tom Coughlin left his star quarterback in tears with this inspirational and unforgettable message in New York today.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, center, reacts while listening to former head coach Tom Coughlin speak during a news conference, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

TOM Coughlin took Eli Manning off the hook — and left him in tears.

A day after an emotional Manning declared the Giants had “failed” their now-former coach, Coughlin absolved his quarterback for the recent struggles that greased Coughlin’s exit after 12 seasons.

“He thinks he’s the reason, (but) he’s not the reason,” Coughlin said of Manning during his going-away press conference at the New York Giants’ Meadowlands headquarters.

Coughlin then motioned to a teary-eyed Manning, who was seated in the first row of the auditorium along with several teammates and members of Coughlin’s family.

“Eli, it’s not you, it’s not you — it’s us,” Coughlin said. “We win, we lose together. When we lose, I lose. When we win, you guys win. That’s the way it is. That’s the game. I know what it is. I got the game. I got it.”

Coughlin was responding to Manning’s comments the day after the Giants finished their second consecutive 6-10 season and fourth straight year without a playoff trip.

Manning told reporters as the Giants cleaned out their lockers that “we as players failed” Coughlin, who is the only head coach Manning has known in his NFL career.

“We didn’t get the job done,” Manning said. “He’s a great coach to play for. I learned so much from him from at an early age when I got here until right now.”

Coughlin also gave Manning a pep talk with the Giants passer facing the possibility of learning a third offence in four seasons unless the team hires offensive co-ordinator Ben McAdoo.

Co-owner John Mara said McAdoo would be interviewed for the chance to replace Coughlin.

“He can handle it all,” Coughlin said of Manning. “He’s done it before. He’ll handle it again. He’s extremely bright. He’s extremely competitive. He’s what you want a son to be made out of.”

Coughlin’s final note of appreciation for Manning was to compliment him for the kind of work ethic a tireless coach like Coughlin could truly appreciate.

“He’s going to be right in here in about two days starting to work on next year, just like he always does,” Coughlin said of Manning. “That’s never going to change. God bless him for it.”

Manning and Coughlin won two Super Bowls together.

Originally published as Tom Coughlin’s final message leaves Eli Manning in tears