EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 19: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants walks off the field dejected after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 38-31 on December 19, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Eli Manning is dispelling the notion he called out Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump’s last name while at the line of scrimmage during Sunday’s Giants-Rams matchup.

Social media was buzzing after Manning appeared to call an audible, saying “Trump. Trump.” The longtime New York starting quarterback dismissed the claims, telling reporters he called something similar to “Trump” but didn’t say his name.

“No, no Trump call,” he told reporters after the Giants’ win. “No Trump call. We had something very similar but no. No. It was not a Trump. So no, no audible this week.”

What’s very similar to Trump? Turnip? Thump? Drumpf?

Regardless of what Manning uttered, he smartly wanted to make sure his calls weren’t associated with Trump, even if he was shouting his name to change the play. Perhaps, Manning’s seen the criticism lobbed towards New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for supporting Trump’s xenophobic rhetoric. I wouldn’t peg Manning as a secret Trump supporter, however, according to CBS Sports, both Eli and Peyton donated $2,700 to Republican Jeb Bush’s presidential campaign.

Calling out Trump’s souring name during a play call would be strange, as doing so would only draw unwanted attention towards Manning and the Giants. There’s little incentive for him calling Trump as a play, as much as some want to believe it to be true.

[Washington Post]

About Liam McGuire

Social +Staff writer for The Comeback & Awful Announcing. Liammcguirejournalism@gmail.com