The Hilarious Mystery Of Eli Manning's Horse Drawing: 5 Ways A Simple Sketch Became A Viral NFL Meme

The "Eli Manning Horse Drawing" has become one of the most enduring and bizarre running gags in modern NFL and internet meme culture. As of late , this simple, non-existent piece of art continues to be referenced by fans, media, and even Eli Manning himself, solidifying his status as the NFL's unofficial "Meme God" during his post-playing career.

Unlike other famous sports memes with a clear origin—like the notorious "ManningFace" from Super Bowl XLII—the horse drawing is an enigma. It’s a joke without a punchline, a viral image that doesn't actually exist, yet it perfectly encapsulates the goofy, self-deprecating humor that has made the two-time Super Bowl champion one of the most beloved figures in sports media today.

Eli Manning: A Brief Biography and Career Highlights

Before becoming a social media darling, Eli Manning was a legendary, albeit often polarizing, quarterback for the New York Giants. His career is defined by improbable victories and a surprisingly meme-friendly demeanor.

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• Full Name: Elisha Nelson Manning
• Born: January 3, 1981 (New Orleans, Louisiana)
• College: University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)
• NFL Draft: 2004 (1st overall pick, San Diego Chargers, immediately traded to the New York Giants)
• NFL Career: 2004–2019 (New York Giants)
• Super Bowl Wins: 2 (Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI)
• Super Bowl MVPs: 2 (Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI)
• Family: Son of Archie Manning, younger brother of Peyton Manning, and uncle to college quarterback Arch Manning.
• Retirement: Announced his retirement on January 22, 2020.
• Current Role: Co-host of the Emmy-winning ManningCast on ESPN2 alongside his brother, Peyton.

The Curious Case of the Horse Drawing: Where Did the Meme Start?

The true, singular origin of the "Eli Manning Horse Drawing" is a mystery that even dedicated internet sleuths have struggled to definitively solve. Instead of a single viral moment, the joke appears to be a perfect storm of Eli’s public persona, a few key references, and the collective randomness of internet humor. The most likely contributing factors include:

1. The Tom Brady Twitter Exchange

The most recent and definitive piece of evidence that keeps the meme alive is a hilarious social media exchange between Eli Manning and his long-time rival, Tom Brady. This interaction cemented the "horse drawing" as a canonical joke in the NFL universe.

When Tom Brady announced his retirement (for the first time) in February 2022, Eli Manning used the opportunity to troll the seven-time Super Bowl champion. Eli tweeted a response to Brady, stating, "Plz answer your phone. Need the horse drawing back."

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This single tweet, which was seen by millions, instantly brought the obscure joke back into the spotlight. It suggested a secret, long-running gag between the two legendary quarterbacks—a piece of Eli's famously bad art that Brady had somehow acquired and was now refusing to return.

2. The SNL "War Horse" Connection

Eli Manning hosted Saturday Night Live on May 5, 2012, an appearance widely praised for his surprisingly good comedic timing in sketches like "Little Brothers." At the time, the Oscar-nominated film War Horse (2011) was still a relevant pop culture entity.

While no viral moment of Eli actually drawing a horse on SNL exists, the combination of his appearance, the "War Horse" reference in the episode lineup, and his emerging meme status may have provided the initial, ambiguous spark. Internet culture often requires only a slight connection to create a full-blown, nonsensical meme.

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3. The "ManningFace" and Eli's Goofy Persona

The "horse drawing" meme is a direct spiritual successor to the legendary "ManningFace," the blank, bewildered expression Eli made during the New York Giants' Super Bowl XLII victory over the undefeated New England Patriots. This moment established Eli as an unintentional comedic figure—a goofy, non-threatening star whose awkwardness was endearing.

The horse drawing joke fits this persona perfectly: it's a piece of art so bad, so childish, that it could only have been created by the same lovable, slightly clueless figure who gave us the "ManningFace." It’s an example of self-aware, meta-humor that Eli now embraces on the ManningCast.

The Impact: How the Horse Drawing Defines Post-NFL Eli

The "Eli Manning Horse Drawing" is more than just a silly internet joke; it’s a key piece of his modern brand. It highlights a significant shift in his public perception from a stoic, often criticized New York athlete to a relaxed, self-deprecating media personality.

The ManningCast and Embracing the Meme

Since retiring and joining the ManningCast (an alternative broadcast for Monday Night Football) with his brother Peyton, Eli has fully embraced his role as a "Meme God." The show relies heavily on casual banter, self-deprecating humor, and a willingness to be goofy, all of which the horse drawing meme embodies.

His willingness to reference the drawing in the Tom Brady exchange and in other interviews signals to fans that he is in on the joke. This ability to laugh at himself has made him incredibly relatable and has arguably elevated his popularity to an all-time high, proving that sometimes, the most effective way to connect with a modern audience is through a shared, nonsensical piece of internet lore.

Topical Authority: Other Eli Manning Viral Moments

The horse drawing is just one of many entities that contribute to Eli Manning’s topical authority in the world of sports comedy. His brand is built on these viral moments:

• ManningFace: The original, iconic blank stare.
• The "Don't Worry About the Horse" Quote: A different horse-related entity, where Eli once used the phrase "Don't worry about the horse being blind, just load the wagon" in a social media conversation, further solidifying the horse motif.
• The "Little Brothers" SNL Sketch: A classic sketch where he plays the younger, slightly annoying brother to Peyton Manning.
• The "Waving" Meme: A moment where he awkwardly waves to a camera during a game, often used as a GIF.
• Arch Manning's Uncle: Even his relationship with his nephew, highly touted college quarterback Arch Manning, is often a source of light-hearted jokes on the ManningCast.

In the end, the "Eli Manning Horse Drawing" is a perfect example of how an internet joke can transcend its lack of a clear origin to become a defining part of a celebrity's identity. It's the ultimate inside joke that everyone is in on, a testament to Eli Manning's successful pivot from two-time Super Bowl champion to a beloved, meme-aware media icon.