Archie Manning knows a little something about the pains of losing, having been on a New Orleans Saints team that started 0-14 and finished 1-15 in 1980. So it should come as little surprise that his heart aches for his son Eli as the New York Giants find themselves with a record of 1-7 for the second consecutive season.

“It’s as hard as it gets. This is as hard as it gets in football,” Archie Manning told The Athletic. “There are two really sour sides of football. Losing is the worst. Being hurt is the other. He’s never been hurt, knock on wood. This is as tough as it gets. I can speak from experience. I went through it.”

Although the Giants are losing and Eli isn’t playing particularly well, Archie says he’s proud of the way his son has handled such turmoil.

“I’m as proud of him as I was when they won championships,” he said. “He’s a pro. It’s football. I always say to some of my close friends, ‘It’s [expletive] football.’

“I don’t blame anything. Everybody is trying. Eli doesn’t make excuses. He doesn’t point blame. He doesn’t moan and groan. Everybody wants to blame somebody. It’s football. I don’t throw out advice unless I am asked. He knows how to handle things. He’s holding up good. He hates it for everybody. He hates it for the new coaches, he hates it for the organization, he hates it for the fans.”

And what of the future? Although Eli has yet to discuss it, his father believes that once the season concludes, the time will finally come for him to reflect and, for the first time, contemplate retirement.

“Eli hasn’t said this to me, but I think as the season winds down, I’m sure it will be a time to reflect and figure some things out,” Archie Manning said. “But right now, I think his efforts are trying to be a good leader and a good player and a good teammate. It’s football, but it’s absolutely the worst side of it.”

For now, Eli remains focused on the Giants and ending the season on a high note. What happens after that is anyone’s guess, but he has made it clear he’d prefer to remain with New York until his career ends, which may no longer come on his own terms.