Even in retirement, Tom Brady and Eli Manning can’t resist poking at one another, and on Friday, June 20, in New York City, that playful tension took center stage at Fanatics Fest.
Tom Brady, Eli Manning Make Appearance at Fanatics Fest
Brady showed up at the event and practically walked in like a WWE star. With a wrestling-style championship belt slung over his shoulder, he strolled out to the theme song of WWE champion Cody Rhodes to the delight of the audience. However, when Brady snatched a Manning shirt from a spectator and ripped it in two directly on stage, the situation swiftly became intense, in a good way.
Tom Brady came out to Cody Rhodes’ theme song, ripped an Eli Manning jersey… and then got jumped by Eli Manning at Fanatics Fest 😂
(🎥 @theanglejoey)
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 20, 2025
Manning had no intention of overlooking that. He surprised Brady by sprinting out and jumping on his back, which made the crowd laugh even harder. Brady didn’t object. With a simple laughter, he picked Manning up and carried him off the platform, picking up the shirt and tossing it back to the floor as he went.
Anyone who followed their NFL careers would have seen the moment as a continuation of a long-standing dynamic, one that is based on intense rivalry, respect for one another, and a history that neither player can completely erase.
In the Super Bowl, Brady and Manning faced off twice; however, Brady was beaten by Manning both times. What would have been a Patriots’ perfect season was ruined by one of those defeats.
Relationship Higher Than Just Rivals
They have always been followed by history. Brady’s losses against Manning will always be a thorn in his career, regardless of the seven championship rings he has to his name. Additionally, Manning will always have two Super Bowl victories to brag about, even though his regular-season record never equaled Brady’s dominance.
Over the years, their relationship has shifted. The competitiveness is still there, but it’s lighter now. They joke with each other on social media, tease one another during broadcasts on the “ManningCast,” and show up at events like Fanatics Fest to have fun with their past.
In 2023, when the “NFL is scripted” theory went viral online, Brady addressed it in a short video and dropped a line that felt both funny and telling: “You think I really would’ve played along with a script that had me losing to Peyton’s little brother twice in the Super Bowl? No.”
Friday’s WWE-style moment didn’t come with the tension of a playoff game, but it still spoke to something deeper. Their rivalry isn’t just remembered; it’s always ongoing. And maybe that’s what makes it so interesting. Not because of how it ended, but because they’ve figured out how to keep it going, even when there’s nothing left to win.