Metropolitan Riveters Welcome Eli Manning and Family to the Rink at American Dream

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – On the afternoon of Sunday Mar. 5, as the Metropolitan Riveters worked to secure an eventual 4-3 victory over the Montreal Force, a special guest was in the building to watch them play.

Two-time Super Bowl Champion and Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, who also counts a Walter Payton NFL Man of The Year Award and New York Giants Ring of Honor spot among his career accolades, was in attendance with his daughters Caroline and Lucy.

Throughout the afternoon, Manning and his family participated in a variety of activities, including a ceremonial puck drop. While watching the action on the ice, Manning spoke about what it was like to receive such a warm welcome.

“It’s been a lot of fun [to be here],” said Manning. “Some of the team came and helped out my daughter’s practice a few weeks ago, so they invited us to a game and we’re having a great time.”

Along with the puck drop, Manning and his family were given an all-access look at game day, which he said his daughters really enjoyed.

“[We] got to go in the locker room, meet some of the girls, got to call out the starting lineup, and got to drop the puck at the beginning of the game,” said Manning. “My kids are having a blast and enjoying the experience.”

For Manning, who is also a part of the Gotham FC ownership group in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the ability to show his daughters that they can chase their dreams and find role models who reflect their experiences is something that he cherishes.

“I have great memories of being around the Saints locker room growing up and the Ole Miss locker room and meeting some of those players,” said Manning. “Those are my heroes and my role models. And so I’ve just tried to create the same experience for my girls, and to see other women out there, being professional athletes and playing sports and doing what they love is really what it is.

He added, “I don’t care if my girls are professional athletes, but just finding something you’re passionate about is key. That’s what these girls are doing, and I just want to show them that there’s so many possibilities to find your passion and to have role models.”

And while this was the first Riveters game that Manning and his family attended, it sounded as if it would not be the last, judging by his enthusiasm for the game.

“This is the first one so far,” said Manning. “We hope to make it more of a tradition. Obviously, the season’s coming to an end now, but having been to one game, and my two girls have had a blast, got to get the hockey team to more games and make some team events and come root on the local team.”

(This story originally ran on the Metropolitan Riveters website, and was published on Mar. 6, 2023. Photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Riveters. Story by Matthew Kass.)