April 24, 2004: Chargers take Eli Manning first in NFL Draft, trade him to Giants for Philip Rivers

The first round of the 2004 NFL Draft was held at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, and the consensus top overall prospect was Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning. The San Diego Chargers took him first overall even though Eli and his camp had told the Chargers that Manning wanted to play for the New York Giants and that he would sit out the 2004 season and re-enter the draft if San Diego selected him.

While most people would rather live in San Diego than New York City, the Chargers were a bit of a mess then in holding the first pick for the second time in four years and having gone eight consecutive seasons without a winning record.

Manning got his wish as when the Giants selected NC State quarterback Philip Rivers at No. 4 overall, Rivers was immediately traded to the Chargers for Manning. San Diego also got the Giants' third-round pick in 2004 and their first and fifth-round selections in 2005.

Of course, Manning led the Giants to a pair of Super Bowl titles and retired following the 2019 season. Rivers has had the better regular-season career but yet to reach a Super Bowl. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts last month.

The Pittsburgh Steelers took Miami (Ohio) quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at No. 11 overall, and he led them to a pair of Super Bowl titles. The 2004 draft was the first ever to produce two quarterbacks who each won multiple Super Bowls.

All three of those QBs probably are headed for Canton eventually. For sure, the No. 3 overall pick in that draft will be Canton-bound five years after he retires: The Cardinals selected University of Pittsburgh receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

Washington took Miami (Fla.) safety Sean Taylor at No. 5 overall, and he was fantastic for three-plus seasons before tragically being killed. Cleveland, meanwhile, passed on life-long Browns fan and Ohio boy Roethlisberger at No. 6 and took Miami (Fla.) tight end Kellen Winslow II. He had a few good seasons – now in jail -- but the Browns blew that choice big time.