The New York Giants put Eli Manning on the bench, but fans have showed an indirect sign of support by putting him on their backs.
According to ESPN’s Darren Rovell, Manning opened Week 13 as the 30th-best selling jersey in the league and finished No. 14 on Fanatics despite standing on the sideline.
Rovell, who notes Fanatics is the largest retailer of NFL jerseys and manager of the NFL’s online shop, added a company spokesman said it was the best day of Manning sales in at least a month.
Who knew all it took for a sales bump would be a benching?
After 210 consecutive starts for Manning, the struggling Giants decided to make a change. It didn’t work. With Geno Smith under center, they lost to the Oakland Raiders. In the following days, the team fired coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese.
Manning will start in Week 14. A new streak will begin, and more people will be wearing No. 10 jerseys.