Eli Manning took the day to help out with the BGC Partners and Cantor Fitzgerald annual Charity Day in New York, which raised approximately $12 million this year to help families of 9/11 as well as provide aid to victims of terrorism, natural disaster and emergencies.

“That’s why today is such a special day,” Manning said on WFAN’s Boomer & Carton Morning Show, the broadcast of which originated from yesterday’s event. “So many different charities are affected and helped out. Obviously on the anniversary of 9/11, a terrible event, and how they’ve turned something positive with this day is really special.

“I was in college [when it happened]. I woke up to a radio and they were talking about it and I turned on the TV. The one plane had already crashed and I saw as the second one came in. You can’t imagine it ever happening. You kind of felt like you were watching a movie, like it wasn’t real. You’re like no way is this really happening. I still remember the day. Obviously I wasn’t in New York at the time, I was still in college, but it affected everybody and obviously it was an attack on our country. It was a terrible day, but how they’ve turned this into a charity, taking some positive out of it, is special. A lot of the people affected on that day are being helped today, so that’s a great cause.”

BACK TO FOOTBALL

Meanwhile, Giants players made 14 appearances around the tri-state community — including West Point, Riverside Firehouse, and the New Rochelle Fire Department – to celebrate “Back to Football” and thank community leaders for their service.

“@GiantsCRDept: @Giants players Domenik Hixon and Jim Cordle spend the day at West Point http://t.co/FF2wgBBS” in an Apache or on in my case—
James Cordle (@JimCordle63) September 11, 2012

Learning how to hold the water line @henryhynoski @ddouglas85 @PrinceAmukamara #Riversidefirehouse http://t.co/2YHJWTJR—
NYG Comm. Relations (@GiantsCRDept) September 11, 2012

NYG with firefighters at Newark Fire Dept. Ladder Co. 5. http://t.co/AVS9Aa9w—
Peter John-Baptiste (@giantsPJB) September 11, 2012