If jokes were properly inflated footballs, then New York Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning was firing complete passes at the kickoff party for the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Golf Classic, held at Mulino’s of Westchester in White Plains May 11.
He’s considered the shyer of the two football-playing Manning brothers – the other being the Denver Broncos’ commanding QB Peyton – but at the event, Eli was all charm and good humor as he told a funny story about taking older daughters Ava and Lucy to Guiding Eyes’ Canine Development Center in Patterson. The girls were delighted to frolic with the Yellow Lab pups – until they learned they wouldn’t be getting one to keep.
Tears rained down on the car ride home and continued for four days – until baby sister Caroline was born.
“You see?” Dad told them. “I didn’t get you a puppy, but I got you a baby sister.
“That should hold them off for a few months,” he added to the appreciative crowd of Guiding Eyes’ graduates (both the two- and four-legged kind), sponsors and officials.
Eli Manning was introduced to Guiding Eyes – the Yorktown Heights-based nonprofit that provides free guide dogs to the sightless and autistic children – through a family friend, a story we recount http://www.wagmag.com/tag/eli-manning/ in WAG’s November 2013 profile of the QB. But it was clear as Manning met the press at Mulino’s that his commitment to Guiding Eyes has deepened with each year. Now the eight-time host is set to do the honors for the 38th annual classic, to be held June 8 at Mount Kisco Country Club and Fairview Country Club in Greenwich. Manning will be on the links to greet golfers with Wrangler, the Guiding Eyes’ puppy that the “Today” show staff is raising.
He, too, was on hand at Mulino’s with his handler, Saxon Eastman. Wrangler has gotten quite big since WAG visited http://www.wagmag.com/wrangler/ him on the set for our April “Animal Passion” issue. No longer a cute pup, he’s now a handsome teen.
And Wrangler was all nonchalance as the press pressed Manning for his reaction to the news that Tom Brady was suspended four games for Deflategate. While professing friendship for the embattled New England Patriots’ signal-caller, Manning talked about the need for integrity and following the rules.
Sounds like you’re a man with your priorities straight, WAG offered.
Manning smiled shyly. “I try,” he said.
For more on Golf Classic foursomes and hole sponsorships, contact Tricia McTernan at 914-761-7111 or tricia@hrginc.net. For more on Guiding Eyes, call 914-245-4024 or visit guidingeyes.org. And for more on Eli Manning and Tom Brady’s sack by the NFL, check out my post. http://www.thegamesmenplay.com/blog/2015/5/11/breaking-news-eli-manning-reacts-to-tom-bradys-suspension — Georgette Gouveia
