Eli Manning spurned the San Diego Chargers when they drafted him first overall in 2004. But was he told to do so?
Manning's father, Archie, told ESPN's Suzy Kolber on Sunday that the reason he counseled his son not to go to San Diego was because people within the Chargers organization told him, "Don't let your son come here."
Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer said he could not imagine Archie Manning being told that. "That's a stretch," he said.
Chargers president and CEO Dean Spanos echoed Schottenheimer's sentiments.
Eli Manning said at the time of the draft that he did not want to play in San Diego. He was traded on draft day to the New York Giants in exchange for the rights to quarterback Philip Rivers, the No. 4 pick overall, plus three draft picks that included a first-rounder this year.
In a head-to-head comparison with Rivers, Manning holds a substantial edge -- he has demonstrated steady improvement after struggling through a 6-10 rookie season last fall, while Rivers has appeared in just two games, completing 5-of-8 passes for 33 yards. However, the Chargers, under Drew Brees, finished 12-4 and made the playoffs for the first time since 1995.
Manning knows that a hostile reception likely awaits him Sunday night, when he plays his first game in San Diego since the draft. Manning said he doesn't expect San Diego to have much sympathy for him.
"Whatever I say, I don't think it's going to make a big difference to the fans," he said. "I knew that when I made the decision. I knew the people of San Diego wouldn't like it or people might harass me for it. I have nothing against San Diego or the people or the players on the team or anything like that. I just didn't feel like it was a place where I wanted to go play for six years or however long my contract was going to be.
"I've played in loud stadiums before, but I don't know if I've played in a place where the team had a reason to dislike me," he said.
The type of challenge posed by a stadium full of hostile fans may do little to shake the normally unflappable Manning.
"I think that being in New York and having that rookie year, he's been through a lot in a short time, and he's learned ways to handle it," Brees said.
Wide receiver Plaxico Burress, Manning's favorite target this season with 10 receptions, concurred.
"I'd think he could handle it pretty well," he said. "One of the things about him, you can't really tell if he's bothered. He doesn't really say a lot, doesn't get too high or too low. He always seems the same way to me whether we're doing good or we're not doing so good."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.