There is a heartbroken man in Kentucky, grieving over the loss of his beloved son far too young, hoping beyond hope that an old quarterback for the Giants lights it up this season.
“I wish nothing but the best for Eli,’’ Joe Lorenzen told The Post on Monday. “He is a good man. I want to say a good kid, but he is a good man. I hope he has a great year this year.’’
It has been nearly a month since Joe Lorenzen endured the death of his 38-year old son, Jared, a former backup quarterback for the Giants who made his mark not on the field but in the hearts and minds of his teammates. This was the reason Eli Manning, Jared Lorenzen’s teammate from 2004 through the Super Bowl-winning 2007 season, was part of a small group of Giants personnel who attended the memorial service and funeral in Edgewood, Ky.
“It means a lot to our whole family,’’ Joe Lorenzen said. “They’ve been a class act since Day 1. Eli has been great too, just a first-class teammate and friend.’’
Lorenzen noticed many mourners, especially the young ones, nudging into the receiving line to score a handshake from Manning. One of those most taken with Manning was Tayden, Jared Lorenzen’s 9-year-old son (Jared also had a 17-year-old daughter, Taylar).
“It’s something you don’t forget as a 9-year-old,’’ Joe Lorenzen said.
Joe Lorenzen is thankful his son had the Giants in his life. It is something he can lean on during this most difficult time.
“He was a really good guy but he was even a better son,’’ Joe Lorenzen said. “He was awesome. I miss him every day. Absolutely every day. If I didn’t have faith, if I knew I wasn’t going to get to see him again, I don’t know if life would be worth going on. So we’re good. We will be together again at some point.’’