Evidently, he wasn’t just forgetting the keys at the Super Bowl XLVI post-show.
It’s trivia time, sports fans! Who was the Super Bowl XLVI MVP in 2012? This is trivia trivia – everyone knows that the New York Giants, led by MVP Eli Manning, put the kibosh upon Tom Brady and New England Patriots winning 21 to 17. What does all this have to do about cars? Manning won a new 2012 Corvette as his prize for being the MVP. But here’s something you might not know about this situation.
Jump back to February 5, 2012 Manning was able to see the post-game ceremony on television. Dan Patrick, a veteran sports journalist, spoke with Manning about it. Patrick, in unabashed product placement, announces the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible Centennial Edition, which comes with the MVP Award, and presents it to Manning. Manning walks off the platform while Patrick is talking about the car. This is some trivial football, but if we look at a clip from the presentation, it’s clear that Manning leaves the platform before Patrick can hand him the keys. Big deal, right? Manning won the Super Bowl but he may be distracted by something like a new ‘Vette. A new report from refers to a podcast Patrick was listening to that tells the story of what actually happened. It wasn’t just a lack of attention. He was also in product placement mode, or was trying to please his sponsor.
Patrick stated that he worked at a Toyota dealer and he didn’t want the keys. He walked off the podium while I was reading the card that said “Eli Manning, you have won this black-on–black Corvette”. But he didn’t leave the podium. “I have to turn around and shout to him, on the podium, as he walks down the steps to, “hey, get your damn keys!”
Manning took the ‘Vette, and if you need more trivia for football night it was sold last season in a charity auction to help COVID-19 relief. The winning bid was $140,000. Now you’re familiar with the rest of this story. Now, back to your regular automotive content.