You’ll Never Guess How Old Eli Manning Was When He Started Shaving

You don’t have to be into sports to know the name Manning. If you’ve ever watched a Super Bowl commercial (or half-listened to a football-obsessed friend talk), chances are you’re familiar with the family’s penchant for humor. So when we sat down with Eli Manning and his father, former NFL pro Archie Manning — both spokesmen for Gillette — we selfishly wanted to see if the New York Giants quarterback lives up to his funny guy rep (spoiler: He does!) and if we’d hear any embarrassing stories about Peyton or Eli’s childhoods (double spoiler: We did!). Read on for the best bits from the interview.

Shiho Fukada

On why the Gillette Shave Club (the brand’s razor delivery service) makes a great last-minute Father’s Day Gift:
Archie: “I’m not one of these guys who throws hints out about Father’s Day, and I’m not saying I have everything — but I think it’s just so practical to have something you’re going to use. They’re going to deliver it to you, you’re going to use it. It’s convenient, and it’s just a great gift.”

On what Eli “bought” his dad for the holiday last year:
Eli: “I’ve been trying to come up with different ideas for years. Last year I got him a Speedo, and I haven’t seen him wear it yet.” [Editor’s note: He didn’t really buy his dad a Speedo. “Eli’s got a sick sense of humor,” Archie says.]

On Eli’s first-ever shaving experience:
Eli: “I was 18! I got a Gillette razor in the mail. I don’t know if it was a promotion or something else, but I think that was the first time I used it and kind of started my process. I don’t think I knew exactly what was going on. I tried to figure it out on my own. Eventually I went to my dad for a little guidance on which direction to go — I don’t even know if I was using shaving cream or shaving gel at first.”

On Peyton’s brotherly help:
Eli: “By the time I was 17, 18 years old, [Peyton] was 23 playing in the NFL, so he wasn’t around as much. So I think my Dad [mostly gave advice]. And your buddies, you kind of go to your friends at that point, and you try to get a little guidance from them.”

On why Eli didn’t have (or doesn’t think he had) awkward facial fuzz in high school:
Eli: “I just don’t grow facial hair that quickly. I don’t know what I did before that, I just remember getting that Gillette razor at 18. I don’t remember prior to that. I didn’t have a razor, so I don’t know what I looked like. I’ve got to go back and look at some pictures from when I was 17. It might be ugly.”

What are you planning to get the dads in your life for Father’s Day? Sound off in the comments below.

–Lindsay Schallon

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