Eli Manning is basically a professional prankster at this point. Sure, the guy has two Super Bowl rings and enough New York Giants records to fill a library, but his post-retirement career has been defined by wigs, fake names, and catching professional athletes completely off guard.
If you've been on social media lately, you probably saw the clips. Eli Manning, dressed in a standard-issue purple and orange uniform, wandering around a high-stakes golf tournament like he’s just trying to find the right recipient for a cardboard box. It's the Eli Manning FedEx delivery bit that took over the sports world during the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind.
He didn't just show up. He committed.
The Birth of "Del Liveryman"
We’ve seen Eli do this before. Remember Chad Powers? That glorious, mustachioed freshman walk-on at Penn State? It seems Eli caught the acting bug, because his latest persona—a FedEx courier named Del Liveryman—was just as ridiculous.
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The premise was simple. FedEx is the title sponsor of the St. Jude Championship and the season-long FedEx Cup. Eli shows up in a courier uniform, hat pulled low, sunglasses on. He looks like every other guy trying to navigate a crowded event with a signature pad. Honestly, it’s a miracle anyone believed a 6’5” guy with that very specific Manning jawline was just a local delivery driver, but the golfers were so locked into their routines that they didn't even blink.
Who Got Roasted?
The beauty of the prank wasn't just the costume; it was the "delivery" of the lines. Eli targeted some of the biggest names on the PGA Tour, and he didn't hold back.
- Rickie Fowler: Eli walked up to him with a package and a deadpan expression. "I hope it's a driver after those last few I saw you hit," he told Rickie. It’s the kind of subtle jab that only another pro athlete can get away with. Rickie laughed, signed the flag, and moved on, totally unaware he’d just been heckled by a Hall of Fame quarterback.
- Justin Thomas: This one was a classic. Eli asked JT to sign a flag, but instead of the usual autograph, he asked him to make it out to "Del." When JT looked confused, Eli hit him with the punchline: "Del-ivery man. That's my name."
- Keegan Bradley: This was the heavy hitter. Keegan is a massive Boston sports fan—meaning he’s spent a good portion of his life hating the New York Giants. Eli leaned in and whispered, "I'm a FedEx courier at my real job. I always deliver... especially against the Patriots."
That was the moment the mask slipped. Bradley’s reaction was pure gold. He went from being annoyed by a "freak" (his words) to realization in about two seconds.
Why the Undercover Bit Works
You might wonder why a guy with Eli's net worth is spendings his weekends in Memphis wearing a fanny pack and shushing Scottie Scheffler. It’s because the Manning brand has shifted. For years, Eli was the "quiet" brother. Peyton was the one with the commercials and the Saturday Night Live hosting gigs. Eli was the guy who just played football and made funny faces on the sideline.
Now? Eli is the king of content. Between the Manningcast on ESPN and Eli’s Places, he’s found a niche in being the "everyman" who happens to be a legend.
The Eli Manning FedEx delivery campaign worked because it felt authentic to his personality. He wasn't trying to be a cool celebrity; he was trying to be a slightly annoying, overly dedicated volunteer. He even switched outfits halfway through, ditching the courier gear for a volunteer’s polo and a safari hat. He spent time on the practice range "shushing" world number one Scottie Scheffler.
"I'm practicing shushing," he told a baffled Scheffler. "Ah, can't handle it. Lost some focus."
The Real Impact on Brand and Fan Engagement
Let's get real for a second. This wasn't just for laughs. This was a masterclass in modern sports marketing. FedEx has been sponsoring the St. Jude event since 1986. Eli, ever the stat-head, made sure to point out that 1986 was also the year the Giants won the Super Bowl.
"Coincidence? I don't think so," he deadpanned.
By using a figure like Manning, FedEx bridges the gap between different fan bases. NFL fans tune in to see what Eli is doing, and suddenly they’re watching golf highlights. Golf fans get a kick out of seeing their favorite pros get humbled by a guy who doesn't know a 7-iron from a sandwich.
It humanizes the players, too. We’re used to seeing Jordan Spieth or Jason Day as focused, stoic competitors. Seeing them get confused by a guy asking if they’re a "golfer or a caddie" makes them relatable.
What We Can Learn From Del Liveryman
If you're looking at this from a business or content perspective, there are a few takeaways.
- Commit to the Bit: Eli didn't just wear the shirt; he had the fanny pack full of "hush sticks" and gummy bears. He had the lines ready.
- Know Your Audience: The Patriots joke to Keegan Bradley was targeted and perfect. It wasn't a generic joke; it was specific to the person he was pranking.
- Cross-Platform Appeal: This started as a video, became a series of "shorts," and eventually turned into a major talking point across sports news outlets.
The Legacy of the Prank
The Eli Manning FedEx delivery wasn't a one-off stunt. It’s part of a larger trend where athletes are becoming their own media moguls. Eli is proving that you don't need to be a traditional broadcaster to stay relevant. You just need to be willing to look a little bit ridiculous for the sake of a good story.
Keegan Bradley probably said it best when he finally realized who was under the hat: "I didn't know that was you. I was like, 'Who is this freak over here?'"
In the world of sports entertainment, being the "freak" who delivers a great moment is a win every time.
To see more of Eli's transition from the gridiron to the screen, check out his latest episodes of Eli's Places or keep an eye on the Manningcast schedule for the upcoming NFL season. If you're heading to a PGA event soon, keep an eye on the volunteers—you never know if a two-time Super Bowl MVP is the one handing you your sunscreen.