Eli Manning gives heartfelt farewell to Tom Brady (Video)

Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning shared a heartfelt farewell to Tom Brady in the wake of his retirement announcement, including a Super Bowl joke. 

During his “Man In The Arena” series released this season, Tom Brady stated aloud what everyone knew: their 2008 Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants was “the one that got away.”

In the fairytale that is Brady’s 22-year career, Eli Manning became an unlikely villain: his underdog Giants beat Brady in the Super Bowl — twice.

Whenever Brady meets with the younger Manning, Eli is sure to make a joke about the two that got away from Brady.

Eli shared his own thoughts on Brady’s retirement over Twitter, honoring a competitor who played six more seasons than the 2004 draftee.

“Really, no one did it better than you,” Manning said.

Even though Eli is the younger brother of Peyton Manning, who remained in the GOAT conversation throughout the 2000s, Eli gave Brady his flowers by naming his numerous accolades over the years.

Of course, Eli couldn’t let the perfect opportunity to tease Brady one last time escape him.

“Good luck in retirement, congratulations on an unbelievable career, and I appreciate your generosity in at least sharing a few of those Super Bowls with me,” Manning said. “All the best, pal.”

Eli Manning honors Tom Brady in retirement, thanks him for the Super Bowl wins

Although Brady had a fierce competition with the Manning brothers during their NFL reign, the  quarterbacks have a friendly camaraderie with the Mannings in retirement.

Brady joined ESPN2’s Manningcast broadcast earlier this season, and NFL fans are already anticipating a Tom Brady version of the popular broadcast.

Drew Brees and the Manning brothers have gone the broadcasting route, as many former players have, yet the future remains unclear for Brady. What he has clarified is his interest in growing the brands he’s co-founded, such as Autograph and TB12.