Eli Manning and Justin Jefferson’s Pro Bowl Moment: A Family Connection and Dance Showdown

At the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl, a moment of pure joy took place when Eli Manning’s son and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson met on the sidelines, performing the Griddy together. Eli, known for his reserved nature, showed off his playful side in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), enthusiastically cheering his son on. “I wanna see the dance — gimme it!” he could be heard saying, radiating pride in his young son’s abilities.

Eli Manning: The Non-Dancing Quarterback

Throughout his legendary career, Eli Manning wasn’t exactly known for flashy touchdown celebrations, especially not dances like the Griddy. In fact, he humorously acknowledged this in his post’s caption, saying, “I’m leaving celebration dancing to the professionals.” Despite his humble approach to celebrations, Eli proved he’s all about fun and supporting the next generation, with fans online expressing their admiration. “Eli’s son got swag!” one fan commented, while another gushed, “Too cute.”

Eli’s son wore a blue Pro Bowl shirt with number 10, a possible tribute to his father’s own legacy, while Jefferson sported his usual Vikings purple with his number 18. The duo’s Griddy dance reflected the bond of not just a player and a coach, but also a father and son, making the moment even more heartwarming for fans watching.

The Griddy: A Dance to Remember

The Griddy is far from a new celebration in the NFL, and it’s closely tied to Justin Jefferson’s touchdown routines. The dance originated during Jefferson’s time at LSU, where he and his teammate Ja’Marr Chase began performing it back in high school. Since then, it has become a signature move for Jefferson, something that has made its way to the NFL as an iconic expression of his personal style after scoring a touchdown.

As fans are accustomed to seeing this dance following one of Jefferson’s remarkable plays, the combination of his talent and the dance became even more memorable during this Pro Bowl moment, when the next generation of Manning added his own flair.

2025 Pro Bowl: Eli Manning’s Victory

While the Kansas City Chiefs are pushing for a potential Super Bowl three-peat in 2025, Eli Manning can proudly say he’s already completed his own version of a three-peat. In a thrilling flag football game during this year’s Pro Bowl, Manning’s NFC team came out on top, defeating Peyton Manning’s AFC team for the third consecutive year. The final score was a high-scoring 76-63 in favor of the NFC, with Eli’s former Giants teammate Malik Nabers scoring twice. The celebration was fitting for a father-son duo, especially as Manning’s long and illustrious career keeps providing moments like this one, even after retirement.

Eli Manning’s Legendary Career and Legacy

Eli Manning’s impact on the NFL, particularly with the New York Giants, remains etched in history. Over the course of his 16-year career, Manning was selected to four Pro Bowls, with his last appearance in 2015. Despite a career that started with a dramatic draft-day trade from the San Diego Chargers to the Giants, Manning quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier quarterbacks.

Manning’s career-defining achievement came in his fourth season when he led the Giants to their first Super Bowl victory against the undefeated New England Patriots. The Giants’ incredible run through the playoffs, including a shocking victory over the Packers and the iconic “Helmet Catch” by David Tyree, will forever be part of NFL lore. Four years later, Manning and the Giants repeated the feat, defeating the Patriots again in Super Bowl XLVI, where Manning was named MVP once more.

His retirement came after the 2019 NFL season, but the Giants continued their quarterback search, drafting his apparent heir, Daniel Jones, in 2019. Despite Manning’s retirement, his legacy remains strong, not just in New York but across the entire NFL, particularly as a key player in two memorable Super Bowl wins. As Eli’s son joins the scene and performs the Griddy with Jefferson, it’s clear that Manning’s legacy is alive and well in the next generation.