Official Commemorative Book on 2007 - Seeking Stories from BBI

and I were needless to say delerious with Joy when we ventured out for breakfast the day after our stunning upset...We were wearing our Super Bowl Champions Locker Room Hat and T-shirt...I live in Sedona, AZ a most magnificent and breathtakingly beautiful city...It is not known for it's knowledge of or even familiarity with too many sports, if at all...Recognizing the shape of a football would be a monumental feat for many of its citizens...It has a population of 12-15,000 full time residents, but 3-4 million tourists per year..

As Ed and I walked in with our Giants' paraphenalia, the filled to capacity Coffeepot Restaurant erupted with cheers and applause...They were jubilent...Needless to say, Ed and I were floating on air...I have never experienced a greater feeling beyond the Super Bowl euphoria I had just experienced...It was awesomee and Ed and I were moved to tears...

last home game of 2006 against the New Orleans Saints with my younger brother Mikey. It was Christmas Eve. It wasn't a good day for the Giants, and as the score got out of hand the crowd thinned out. Many of those that remained did so only to chant "Fire Coughlin" throughout the fourth quarter. Not a pretty scene.

Anyway, at the end of the third quarter I said to Mikey, "We are staying here until that F-ing clock reads all zeroes, and one day it's gonna come back to us." It ended up a miserable 30-7 loss and a 2 hour trip home to a sad dinner on Christmas Eve.

Fast forward over a year later to February 3, 2008. Gibril Wilson knocks down Tom Brady's 4th down heave and the Giants are champs. Mikey and I are with a dozen or so friends at Dorrian's on 84th and 2nd. After the initial screaming and celebrating subsides, Mikey says to me with tears in his eyes, "Remember Christmas Eve last year?"

I'll never forget it.

I've eaten at The Coffeepot in Sedona. Wish I were there to see that!

RiffRaff's or Mad Plaid's story about all the folks that he had take pictures with his Dad's photo should be posted here.

Someone could link to montral mans blog, my story of bag-o-bob at the bowl would be good.

after the horrible loss to Minnesota on November 25, I wondered how I could be so happy coming into the stadium and feel so awful when leaving!

Little did I know how things would turn out just ten weeks later. It was a magical run a created a feeling that will last a lifetime.

are both huge Tom Coughlin fans. Obviously, before the season started there was a lot of speculation about Coach Coughlin being a "lame duck" coach. So during camp we saw Tom Coughlin leaving practice and while he was signing little kids autographs, my father yells out to him "4 MORE YEARS TOM!" and Tom Coughlin looks at my father with this sort of "Yeah sure" look then laughs. I thought it was great how after this season he got a three year extension to at least fulfill the profecy. This season has made me come full circle as a die hard, blue bleeding, Giants fan. I was born a week and half after the Giants won their first Superbowl, February 5th, 1987. My father said he was trying to rush my mother into having labor so I could see the game. So, then my big twenty-first birthday was two days after the greatest Superbowl of all time, February 3, 2008. There could never be a better gift then a Giants over the Patriots twenty-first birthday gift.

Sounds fun, do you have an email?

and when my friend and I got to our seats, I noticed the guy sitting next to me was talking on his cell. When he was finished talking, he stood up and said he'd just put $2500 on the Giants to win. Although he wasn't wearing any Giants gear, I assumed from the bet that he was a Giants fan and congratulated him on his nerve. He turns to me and says "I'm actually a big Patriots fan but I've been sitting here watching the teams go thru warm-ups and both the Giants DL and OL are really getting after it. They really look angry and I think we're in big trouble".

Fast forward to the end of the game, every Giants fan in our section was going ballistic…..hugging, high fives and pure delirium. I look over and the same guy, in a great show of sportsmanship, extends his hand and congratulates me on the win. I asked him if the money he won made up for the loss in any way and he looks down and shakes his head no. He then tells me that he placed the bet with his best friend and the total payout on the game was going to put him out of business.

went to all of the home games and the following road games

London Game vs Miami
Eagles away game
Bills away game
Tampa wildcard game
and finally capped it with the SuperBowl victory

some of the games I went with friends and other times I went to meet BBIers. In tampa we had a huge BBI gathering 50+ people tailgating..i even had friends trying to start a fund for me for dallas and green bay to be the giants good luck charm...what a great feeling on the whole season..i will never forget it

'fidian', meaning a person lacking in faith. It describes perfectly me and so many other Giants fans of a certain age. Growing up with the Giants through the Dark Ages, if one was inclined at all to see the world fatalistically a certain expectation of disappointment frequently developed. Repeated failure will do that to a person.

Throughout the playoffs I was expecting the worst and delighted by success, but as the momentum grew so did this uncomfortable, nagging belief that this season was different. Something magical was happening. Of course we could win if everything went right, but when does that ever happen? When indeed.

At halftime of the Super Bowl I recall thinking the Giants were doing what they needed to in order to have a chance to win. Deep into the second half I had this nagging belief that they could actually triumph! Being a good fidian I kept these thoughts well buried and as the Patriots drove down the field for their go-ahead score that flame of hope flickered to an ember, only to be revived by the heroic efforts of Manning and Tyree. Once that completion was made I said out loud, "My God, we could actually win this!" and by saying it made my belief real. As the final seconds ticked away in victory I turned from the television to my wife, sitting calmly in her chair, and saw through my tears her mouth silently form the words I had heard her say so many times that season,

"Oh ye, of little faith..."

And I thought of Spider Lockhart, and Harry Carson and of my father, who had himself turned like me from the television so many times before only to say, “I’m leaving the room” because the Giants always played better when he didn’t watch, and I thought maybe a little faith isn’t such a bad thing after all.

“17-14. Believe it and it will happen.”

Michael, you made a believer out of me.

It was a low time for the Giants and their fans as the team had dropped to 0-2 on the season. Their next game was at Washington and the Giants turned their season around with a tremendous goal line stand. I remember commenting that my daughter might prove to be a good luck charm for the team. Sure enough, the Giants went on a 6 game winning streak.

While the season had it's ups and downs, something felt different to me about this season. Maybe it was the influx of new talent from what may be one of the most talented rookie classes the Giants have ever seen. Maybe it was that I was now able to watch Giants games with my own child.

The playoff run was remarkable. Beating Dallas in Dallas was one of the greatest feelings I've ever had as a Giants fan. To this day I have a picture of me and my daughter in our Giants gear sitting next to the television with the disgusted face of Jerry Jones after the loss staring back at us.

The Super Bowl was a blur. My daughter was four months old and had fallen asleep around half time. It was surreal to be so excited watching the game and to have to be so quiet so as not to wake the baby. When Eli connected with Tyree I let out some sort of a muted yelp, and it woke my young daughter, who started to cry. Here's Dad trying to contain himself and here is my young daughter trying to sleep. Finally when we saw "Manning lobs it, Burress alone, touchdown New York!" I fell to the floor, silent.

While I anxiously waited out the last 35 seconds, I was holding my Strahan helmet, and I kept saying 'I can't believe it, the Giants are going to win the Super Bowl.' I was crying at times and excited beyond belief. Part of the joy was seeing my beloved Giants be crowned the best in the league. Another part of the joy was seeing Eli get the recognition he trully deserves and part of it was seeing Michael Strahan finally get his ring.

For me on a personal level, I will always look back on the 2007 season and know that it all started for me with the birth of my daughter and a goal line stand in Washington. My little baby good luck charm helped my beloved Giants all the way to Phoenix. And somewhere overhead I knew that Wellington was smiling as the Lombardi trophy was handed to his son John.

Brennan in Vermont

These are fantastic. When it comes to Giants fans, I'm no fidian! When it comes to the Giants, I know what you all mean.

to my story. There is more to it. I'd love to share the whole story, budon't have the time to type it all. Perhaps you have email or can get mine from Eric.

The whole superbowl experience was one I will never forget. From the week prior up until the week after.

ANyway, here is Montreal Man's little snippet, which, if you are interested, I can elaborate on.


Lonk - ( New Window )

I felt after we beat Dallas in the playoffs was unmatched, even by watching the famous wide right vs Buffalo or seeing Phil Simms shine against Denver with 500 fellow Giants fans in the middle of the night on a screen at the Jerusalem Hilton.

After the Dallas victory my season was made – from then on we were playing with house money. Of course I relish our Super Bowl glory, but beating our arch-rival in the playoffs was my personal highpoint.

Any relation to Jerry or Evan? What is the title of the book going to be?

No relation to Jerry or Evan Pinkus. They have a 'k' in their name, ours is a 'c'. It will be great to have their work as part of this book, though.

and proceeded to act like a fool. Then I took the next 3 days off of work. Kind of a blur.

The season to me was a culmination of moments and events starting in training camp. Questions about whether Diehl could handle the job at LT, whether or not the secondary and linebackers would hold up, whether or not Tom Coughlin still had his team, whether the coordinators would be able to do their jobs.

Then we start off the season 0-2.

Fast forward to the Redskins game in Week Three and we are on the verge of going 0-3. Mitchell with two huge plays on 3rd and 4th and Goal and the Giants hold.

That, to me, is what really started it all, that sequence of plays. That’s when, in my opinion, you really saw the “no quit” mentality of this team start to form. We had rough games, and games we coasted through here and there through the regular season, but I thought this team always came to play, always played hard.

After Week 17, you saw this team lay it all out there, with nothing to gain. Tremendous game, tremendous effort shown. You had to think the Giants knew they had a shot to take it to Arizona after that game...if you didn't, you're not a Giants fan.

Then the Giants win 4 in a row on the road to become the World Champs. I felt so proud of this team, proud of every individual player who contributed to the team concept and busted their ass every day to make the season what it was. They deserved to win it all, and they did.

I feel truly grateful to have experienced this season. I don’t think we will ever see a team, or a run, quite like the 2007 New York Football Giants had in my lifetime.

The season to me was a culmination of moments and events starting in training camp. Questions about whether Diehl could handle the job at LT, whether or not the secondary and linebackers would hold up, whether or not Tom Coughlin still had his team, whether the coordinators would be able to do their jobs.

Then we start off the season 0-2.

Fast forward to the Redskins game in Week Three and we are on the verge of going 0-3. Mitchell with two huge plays on 3rd and 4th and Goal and the Giants hold.

That, to me, is what really started it all, that sequence of plays. That’s when, in my opinion, you really saw the “no quit” mentality of this team start to form. We had rough games, and games we coasted through here and there through the regular season, but I thought this team always came to play, always played hard.

After Week 17, you saw this team lay it all out there, with nothing to gain. Tremendous game, tremendous effort shown. You had to think the Giants knew they had a shot to take it to Arizona after that game...if you didn't, you're not a Giants fan.

Then the Giants win 4 in a row on the road to become the World Champs. I felt so proud of this team, proud of every individual player who contributed to the team concept and busted their ass every day to make the season what it was. They deserved to win it all, and they did.

I feel truly grateful to have experienced this season. I don’t think we will ever see a team, or a run, quite like the 2007 New York Football Giants had in my lifetime.

I did a thread in May describing My Super Bowl Adventure with pictures of me and a picture of my dearly departed father at the Super Bowl. I can try to repost it for you hear, but it will take some time. Can I eMail you a Word Doc with the whole thing in it? Also, I don't know if Eric of BBI has the original thread in his archives, but that would be a good way to gain access to the original thread without going to the trouble of reposting the whole thing. Please let me know.

dad and the tears in your eyes....man that was moving. Should be in the book!

Tommy the elephant and several others have asked for an email address for stories, photos, links, etc.
Here goes:
arthurpincus@yahoo.com
Pretty original, huh?
Berrylish: I'd love to see the whole story of how you got Bob's ashes on the field.

I watched the Giants vs. Packers NFC Championship game in a local sports bar with my brother –in-law, Dennis. After the first two playoff wins, we had taken on many superstitions and rituals to ensure continued success. This included watching in the same sports bar.

Only, I’d forgotten that the place was a frequent Green Bay fan hangout. We arrived to see the place packed with Packer Backers in full regalia, Favre jerseys and cheese heads lined the room. Who wears a dairy product on their head in Virginia? I must admit, I was a bit pessimistic knowing we were playing at Lambeau, in the cold, versus Favre and a team that crushed us in the regular season. It seemed the stars would align to give the NFL the Brady vs. Favre Super Bowl they wanted. Still, I held out the hope of any true fan. Perhaps today was any given Sunday.

When Jacobs ran over a Packer DB early on, I loved the tone he’d set; “We’re not the same team you saw in week 2. We’re here to play!” Soon, the Packer fans got excited as Green Bya took the lead on a long TD. One particularly obnoxious woman old enough to know better (and then some) would dance around when the Packers had any success and even urged us to get up and celebrate although we were obviously Giants fans. We took the abuse quietly. Waiting. Watching. Cheering. Hoping.

As the Giants began to play better and better our hopes were buoyed. Burress seemed to own Harris, and The Pack fans got nervous. Their bravado rang empty. When one of our players remained down after a play late in the game, a Packer fan said, “Good!” I shook my head, “That’s bad karma to cheer for an injury. No football fan should ever do that.” It was a clear sign that their confidence was waning.

When Bradshaw broke through the line, kept his balance, and was off to the races for what appeared to be a long TD, we got on our feet, “Go, Bradshaw! Go! “ The yellow flag for holding nearly broke our hearts – had the big play we needed just slipped through our fingers? If we were discouraged, the Giants were not. They battled valiantly: the defense coming up big again and again, Eli working in the cold like he was the sure fire Hall of Famer, not the QB that was vying for his 3rd playoff win.

When Tynes missed the first field goal, we grit our teeth. By now, our nerves were as raw as Coughlin’s frostbitten visage. When we lined up for the second FG try to win it at the end of regulation, the sports bar became unnaturally silent. But, as the kick floundered, the Pack fans erupted. Their cheers redoubled when Green Bay won the toss. This was what they’d been waiting for, was it not? Favre? At home? In overtime? With the ball in sudden death? The Cheeseheads were sure the Giants would never see the ball again. At that moment I turned to my brother-in-law and said, “You know, the Giants might not win this, but they deserve to win it. We’ve out-played them the entire game.”

Then Favre threw the fateful out and our bench-to-hero CB, Webster, makes yet another great play, breaking on the ball for the interception. Now it was our turn to cheer, as the Packers fans just sat in slack jawed shock. But, the Giants failed to advance the ball. The Packers fans derided the Giants as we sent Tynes out yet again for an even longer try. “Good, they’re sending him out to try again!” Even I had to wonder, “Is Coughlin trying to kill poor Tynes?” But, the kicker proved as resilient as the rest of the team, and the ball sailed though the frigid air and through the uprights. Dennis and I arose in unison with the referee’s arms. It was good!

We jumped around and hugged. The Packers fans paid their check, and filed out, some showing some begrudging respect. We watched the presentation of the trophy, and realized, “We’re going to the Super Bowl!” Standing there, I felt that if any team was strong enough, resilient enough, and talented enough to knock off an undefeated team it was this one! Our New York Giants.

Your story with your daughter is awesome. It made me misty. I'm a wuss. :-)

;)

thing is, is that mine slightly intertwines with RiffRaffs. We had never met prior to the superbowl. I had only met the fabulous schnitzie, his sister. I'm glad I met him and glad to be a teeny tiny part in his story.

That family is truly one of gems.

You made me blush.

We had a big Super Bowl party at my place. 100 inch picture projected on my wall. 50 college kids, eating wings and drinking a few beers during the biggest game of the year. Old friends, new friends, you name it, they were there.

I sat next to my friend, another big Giants fan. Earlier that day, he mentioned going to the parade. I realize, why not, if the Giants did the impossible, I'd go too.

The game starts. We follow his family tradition of a shot of Sambuca at kickoff. For good measure, we took two.

My two friends to the left were big Giant fans. We were the biggest GMen fans in the room. The game rolls on. 3-0. 7-3. 14-7. 14-10. With every first down, we smile. With ever Patriots point, we die a little inside.

The Giants are two minutes away from losing the game. Eli Manning begins the march down the field. You could feel the energy in that small apartment. Everyone was going crazy, watching that image projected 100 inches onto a normally boring wall. Manning marches down the field. Manning to Tyree. Manning to Smith. Jacobs for positive yardage. My mind is raising. Can he do it. Is there still too much time on the clock.

Finally, Manning finds Burress alone in the endzone. Touchdown. 17-14. I jump into my friends arms. I almost start crying. But there's still time left.

I could barely watch the next 35 seconds. But I do. When the clock hits 00:00, I jump into my friend's arms and we share an embrace. We run outside, embrace again, and around like mad dogs. The Giants were champs. We were going to NY for the parade.

My mom calls. They did it. A friend and former Web site boss calls. They did it. No one believed it. My friend leaves, comes back, and makes me do another shot of Sambuca with him. Why not, he says. The Giants are World Champions.

I couldn't sleep that night. The beer was finished, the chips were gone, the projector turned off and everyone went home. But the Giants were still champs.

I attended Fairfield University during this miraculous playoff run, a college located in Connecticut with a class size made up of about 50% of students from the New York/NJ area, the other 50% from New England. After Greenbay, I was optimistic about the Super Bowl, looking forward to an incredible challenge. The Pats fans? They already had their victory parade mapped out, their after-parties lined up, and all they did was talk trash. They did not see the Giants as a threat, they saw them as a lucky team with a joke of a quarterback leading the way. My only response to every Patriots fan those two weeks was the same: "Talk is cheap."

To have been in Arizona and seen it happen right in front of you live, I cannot fathom what it must have been like. My father and two brothers attended the game in Phoenix, but for some reason (maybe my lack of money) I felt obligated to stay at school and watch it with my Giants buddies.

There was not a greater feeling in the world when I saw Eli and the rest of the victory formation go out with one second left; February 3rd, 2008 was the greatest day of my life, not just because the Giants won the Super Bowl, but how they did it and who they did it against. We stopped history, and in return made history ourselves. Don't bother asking me for details about the bar afterwards, because I was throwing down victory shots with everyone while rocking out to "Back in the New York Groove" and "New York, New York" (no Pats fans were there, obviously because they were either a.) too busy figuring out what just happened and/or b.) they were too busy eating crow).

"TALK IS CHEAP, PLAY THE GAME"

-Mikey T

Being a Giants fan for 30+ years i have seen alot. Had quite a bit to cheer about and quite a bit more to cry about. This season was magical for me for so many reasons, but one inparticular. My youngest daughter (9 years old) KayKay, actually became a card carrying, jersey wairing (and in massachussetts no less), full fledged fan of the giants!

I mean she became an actual fan where she watched every game with me (yelled at the TV), memorized the players, went to camp, and had a genuine interest in learning the game. this was huge to me. In my house durning football season Sunday is always "stay away from crazy dad day, especially if the giants are loosing".

fast forward to the second washington game. she wanted to watch but i made her go to bed. she was very upset with me and mad she would miss the game and said to me "if you make me go to bed, the giants will loose (she thought they win because she watches) and Shockey (my favorite player) will probably break his leg!" needless to say, KayKay has NEVER missed another game!! She even painted her face and wore an Eli jersey all day superbowl sunday.

There are a ton of father/son stories out there. Hell, me and my dad watch the giants every week together. He has been a fan for 50+ years. however, this year when my daughter actually became a fan, not just humoring dad but a real fan, this season became real, real special to me.

As some you may know my mom has cancer and within th elast year it has turned very aggressive. I kept on praying throughout th eplayoffs for one more Super Bowl for my mom. That is all I have to say. I dedicated this season to my mom.

the stands at Giants Stadium after the brutal playoff loss to the Vikings in 1997; I remember all the people dejectedly filing out of the stadium while my brother and I sat there in our seats, stunned. I remember the disappointment of the loss in the Super Bowl to the Ravens, and the terrible playoff loss to the 49ers that I wish that I could forget.

So my brother Steve came over the house to watch the Super Bowl. Just in case, I had purchased a bottle of champagne.

I remember, when Eli threw the TD pass to Burress, just repeating over and over and over, "we're gonna win the Super Bowl." I couldn't believe it.

When the Giants win, we pop open the bottle of champagne; I'm bear-huggin and high-fiving my eight year old son Joseph, who in between bear-hugs and high-fives is throwing a football in the air and pretending he's Plaxico Burress making the game-winning catch. What's funny about that is that even the other day, I'm throwing the ball in the back yard with him and he's like "Daddy, let's do Eli to Burress" - which means I float the ball to the corner of the yard and while it's in the air yell "Manning lobs it, Burress alone, TD New York!!" And he catches it.

So, anyway, I have a photgraph that I keep in the upper-left hand drawer of my office desk; it's tucked inside the fold of a letter I once got from John Mara. It's a picture of me and Steve toasting our G-Men with the champagne. In the picture, I look like I'm in tears. While I remember being elated over the win, I don't remember being in tears. I took this picture out recently to show Steve and I asked him "hey man, look, do I look like I'm crying in this picture or what?" But, I really don't show this picture to anyone and I never will; I don't want anyone to look at it and say "Hey, James, yeah, you were crying!" I take it out every once in a while to look at it, laugh at myself, and to remember: me and my brother toasting our Super Bowl Champion Giants!!

There's an old song lyric by Bob Dylan. Some of you remember it, "I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now." Mr. Burns, a high school English teacher, gave us the assignment of writing a paper based on an old song lyric.

Somewhere, in this house, there's a picture of 2 year old Pete in the arms of a young 1st round draft pick from the University of North Carolina. My parents had struck up a conversation with the young rookie, and he had agreed to take a picture with their little boy. That young 1st round pick? Lawrence Taylor.

My parents have had season tickets since the 70s. When I grew up, I was told stories about pitiful Giants teams in the Yale Bowl and the early years of Giants Stadium. By five and six years old, I could tell you the number, name, and position of every player on the Giants roster. My grandfather would toss a little Giants football with me, and I'll always remember that. In January 1987, my parents pulled me out of school for a week. We were going to the Rose Bowl to watch us in 21. I'd be lying to you if I told you I remember the game live. I do remember two things vividly - in pregame, my father said, "Simms looks great today." and when the Giants came out the tunnel, McConkey went wild with that towel, even going as far to knock a goal line pylon down. The game is a blur, really.

In January 1991, I remember the details of the games much more. I remember Hoss to Bavaro in SF. Reasons on the fake punt run. Howard forcing the fumble, LT with the recovery. Ingram on 3rd and 9 in the SB. OJ giving Kelso the uppsercut. Norwood wide right. But as a 12 year old, though I remember holding the hands of family and beloved friends as Norwood's kick sailed wide, I didn't realize the wonder of that moment. I remember the joy, but I don't remember why other than our team won.

Then, the dark years came. Every one of you will nod when I type this list, because we all know: H-----y, 44-3 in Frisco for LT and Simms' last game, sure-handed Calloway botching the onside recovery, Super Bowl XXXV, a tough loss in Denver on an opening Monday night followed by unspeakable tragedy the next morning when all our worlds changed on 9-11, Trey Junkin, Joe Horn and his flipping cell phone. Through it all, we all wondered if we would ever feel that feeling again. But, we all knew one thing. We are Giants fans, it has been drummed into us.

The light began to flicker in the next coming years with the arrival of young Eli. But, we wondered yet again when Roethlisberger, a fellow rookie, led his Steelers to that land we so desperately wanted. Did we get the right guy? Our fears did not lessen as Carolina whipped us in January 06, Philly bested us in OT in January 07, and we started 0-2 in September 07. But somewhere along the line, we stood up like the teams of yesteryear. We refused Washington on 4th and 1, and away we went. But, I confess to you all. In my heart, I did not think we were good enough.

In Buffalo, I thought it was over in that disastrous 1st 5 minutes. Home vs. New England, I thought it was a noble effort, but still not good enough. But, I thought we could win a playoff game. Just give me that and I would be happy. It would be progress, and we could continue to next year.

That's how I rationalized the pain that I thought was coming. Each week, it would be okay because we made progress from the previous year. We beat Tampa, and I was happy, but surely next week in Dallas, it would end vs. the favored Cowboys. We took it in Dallas, but surely it would end in frigid Green Bay. We took it in Green Bay, but surely it would end vs. the undefeated Patriots. But, it would be okay because we had made progress.

Then, the game happened. Little by little, I started to believe. We were hanging around, and it was only 7-3. We were hitting Brady a lot. Tom Petty came on and told the world to stand up at the gates of hell and not back down. The 3rd quarter flew by, and they knew they were in a game. By this time, like many of you all, I'm promising anything I can to anyone who will listen. Just let the Giants score and win this thing, and I promise I'll stop cursing, give more money to the poor, be a nicer person, etc. etc. etc. Then, we scored. Eli found Boss, Eli found Tyree in the end zone, and we had the lead. It could happen, but there was too much time. Brady led them down, and the Pats scored. Then, I realized..

We had come too far to stop now. We were at the gates of hell, and we wouldn't back down. Whatever happened, it was okay, because I started to believe again. Periodically, I'd look at my father, and I could tell he wanted this one so bad. Thoughts kept running through my mind: 20+ years as a cop in New Jersey, and he looked forward to those Sundays so much. Give this to him now, Eli. Come on, make your reads, we're almost there. They came from all sides, and he refused to back down. I believe, Eli. I believe now. Tyree's mother just died this year, but he soared higher than ever before and didn't back down. Scramble, Eli. Find Stevie on the sidelines. Stop the clock, we'll be okay. Okay, four shots at the end zone now, let's go, Eli. Then, it was Plax. Plax, the man who had played this year with such pain, had given that TD ball in Washington to Lt. Col. Gadsen. Plax made that wonderful move with that clutch catch in the corner of the end zone. But, there was still 35 seconds... believe, and it will happen.

By this time, we're standing, we're yelling, we're going crazy. When that final pass hit the turf, it all hit me. Born into this wonderful thing, all those memories came rushing back. My father and I leaped into each other's arms and told each other we loved each other. We danced and yelled like little boys. My mother had happy tears in her eyes. So many friends and family members called. It was all worth it, and they can never take it from us. We believed, and it happened.

I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now. That's what this thing is about: love, family, friends, and a connection to the past. It's a pretty cool thing to go to the store and see a fellow Giant fan. All it takes is a smile and a nod with a point to the Giant hat. Sometimes, I play them my ringtone, "Manning lobs it, Burress alone, Touchdown New York!" It's just this thing. This thing keeps on beating in our hearts. Friends and family members may pass, but this thing will keep going. I couldn't think of a better thing to be born into.

Living in Oregon I don't get many opportunities to attend Giants games. When the Giants beat the Cowboys and were headed to Green Bay for the NFC Championship game I knew I had to go. Every football fan should visit Lambeau Field at least once, and it can't get any better than a Championship game in subzero temperatures!

One of the few Giants games I'd been to was the nightmare in Seattle in 2005 when Jay Feely missed three straight game-winning field goals (two in overtime).

As the NFC Championship game went to overtime I was sure my presence caused some horrible curse on Giants kickers. This game was going just like the Seattle game two years before. Lawrence Tynes missed two field goals late in the fourth quarter that would have won the game. In overtime he kicked his third potential game-winning field goal, longer than the two he missed, but this time the ball sailed through the uprights. The Giants won. My curse was broken. The Giants were going to the Super Bowl.

I was listening to Velver Revolver's most recent single 'The Last Fight' on the drive over and some of the lyrics seemed too apt considering what was at stake in the NFC Championship game:

"This fight could be the last fight
No giving and no winning
One time could be the all the time
Should we decide to end the misery"

Whenever I listen to that song now I just think of driving alone on Route 80 west before the game steeling myself up for what might be the last game, or the "last fight", of the Giant's season.

instead of being upset, I calmly said, "It's OK. Eli will lead us to the promised land." I don't remember ever being so calm during a final drive.

It was a special game for me. I live in Rochester, just a short drive to Rich Stadium. I go to one Bills game a year for free courtesy of a friend with connections. It gives me my live football fix. I knew this was the year the Giants would be coming to town and was extra excited when I saw the date, December 23...my 41st birthday. The same day I saw the schedule, my friend lost his connection for tickets. Obviously I was going regardless but this was the first time in 15 years I had to pay!

All week I told my friend to dress warm, in layers and be ready for rain. Did he listen? No. He shows up that morning in a sweatshirt and jean jacket. No rain gear, nothing warm.

Being my birthday I had a few on the drive and continued in the lot. Due to a problem with security, by the time I got to my seat it was 14-0 Buffalo and had started to rain. My buddy and I figured as long as the rain was not blowing in our faces, we would be OK. Unfortunately, not the case. The cold downpour continued and soaked my friend but not me as I had come very prepared with insulated ski pants and rain gear. I was fine...he was not. Before half time he had enough. I was afraid he would make me leave and miss my birthday game. But, being the good friend he is, he handed me $20, said happy birthday and went to sit in the car. I made friends with the Giants' fans around me and drank until I could drink no more.

We all know what happened that game. Many consider it a turning point for the team as they finally clinched the playoff spot. But it meant more to me. I have been friends with this guy for over 20 years but never did I think he would do what he did. He sat in the car for two hours waiting for me so I could enjoy my birthday. he put up with my drunkeness on the drive home and enjoyed home made Black Forest cake (courtesy of my wife) with my family. I'll never forget what he did for me that day.

Steve L.

Throughout the entire season, including the playoffs, one moment sticks out to me the most. Aside from the Super Bowl game itself, the most memorable moment for me was the playoff game @ Dallas. All week I remember hearing how Dallas was a much better team and that they would walk through the Giants with no problems. I remember hearing that Jerry Jones had already presented the Cowboys players with tickets to Green Bay. Everyone I talked to locally thought the Giants would get destroyed in Dallas. I have friends and even family that claim to be Cowboys fans and the trash talk coming from their mouths was nearly unbearable. I wanted the Giants to win so bad. I could not stand the thought of them losing a third time to the Dallas Cowboys. However throughout all the trash talk and negative comments aimed at the Giants, I knew that the G-Men had a chance. I knew they had what it took to pull off what so many thought couldn't happen.

The entire game was very exciting and had me on the edge of my seat. From Amani Toomer's long touch down early in the game to the clutch Eli Manning led drive at the end of the 1st half, the Giants and Cowboys went back and forth. My nerves and my fingernails were suffering because of this. During the Cowboys final drive I remember pacing back and forth in my house constantly. I was watching the game with my Fiance (whom I have recruited to the Giants bandwagon within the 7 years we have been together) and even she was nervous. Romo eventually made an unbelievable flip-pass to Jason Witten to keep the drive going and I could not believe my eyes. The Giants were so close to pulling off another upset on the road but Dallas was moving the ball in to scoring territory. I could not take it. I nearly lost it. I was going so crazy, screaming and yelling at my TV as if my noise would some how help the Giants defense out. Finally, fourth down came. Romo dropped back and it seemed like this play took forever. Watching it live it seemed like Romo had at least a good 20 seconds to sit in the pocket and find an open receiver. When R.W. McQuarters intercepted Romo's pass in the end zone I was over come with happiness. My fiance and I hugged and yelled in celebration and not long after my mom called me to talk about the game (She never calls until it's over) and celebrate as well. It was after that miraculous effort by the Giants that I knew with 100% certainty they had a shot to win it all. People would still keep telling me otherwise, but I would just smile and tell them to wait and see. They usually laughed at me and told me the (insert opposing team name here) would beat the Giants. But in the end, the Giants prevailed, and I got the last laugh.

?

I've been a Giants fan for my entire life, which with this team, is 19 long years. Through the catastrophe in San Francisco, the Super Bowl vs the Ravens, and the Wild Card game with the Vikings, I think it's a miracle that I'm still living. I've been through the highs and lows, and I'm more of a fan as I ever have been.

I had high expectations for this team last season. Nobody gave us a shot. I knew that this team was hungry, and was going to make some noise. After the Cowboys game and Packers games, I began to brace myself for a long season ahead, and I couldn't understand why we weren't playing better. There were alot of defining moments during this histroic campaign. Osi had the game of a lifetime against the Eagles and just as it seemed like we were rolling towards a playoff birth, we get stomped against the Vikings, and begin playing terribly. I believe the last game of the season against the undefeated Patriots is the game that gave us confidence to do what we did.

I remember being so happy after the playoff game in Dallas finally ended. I was emotionally drained afterwards, and just fell to the floor in complete happiness. I thought to myself that this was enough for me, I'd be fine with losing to Green Bay. Luckily, I knew my team would not allow that. Personally, the Packers game was the best game I have ever seen up to that point. As Tynes lined up for the game-winning kick, I knew he was going to miss it, and I think maybe EVERY Giants fan did also. When he did, memories came back to me of the heartbreak I was about to feel. So close to making the Super Bowl, and we were going to lose. There was no way that the Giants would lose the coin toss, get the ball back from Brett Favre and win this game. We were going to lose.

Not this team. This team had too much heart. As Tynes kicked that ball, I knew it was good. I didn't even wait to see if it has went through the uprights. I ran out of the door and started yelling, screaming and proclaiming to the world that the Giants, MY NEW YORK GIANTS, were going to the Super Bowl. Suddenly, in the middle of the street I dropped to my knees, starting crying my eyes out, and just took the feeling all in. It's something I will never forget.

Two weeks later, the biggest game of my life didn't disappoint. I knew we were going to win. We had already won. We weren't supposed to be here. I didn't sit down the whole game. When David Tyree scored at the beginning of the fourth quarter, I remember thinking that we were only minutes away from completing the most improbable run in NFL history. Then, the Patriots drive down the field and score. Instantly, everything was taken out of me. My friend just about broke his wrist punching this door out of frustration. We were going to fall just short. We were going to lose. I still had trust, but a game winning drive in the Super Bowl against the 18-0 Patriots? Not likely. However, once again, No. Not this team. Not this time. Not this game. The New York Giants would not break the hearts of their loyal fans once again.

Toomer, first down. Suddenly, it's 4th and 1, and we need to convert. Boom, 1st down. My mind is racing, I think I'm having a heart attack. 3rd and 5. Little did I know that I was about to experience that greatest play in the histroy of sports. Manning drops back, is pressured, and all I'm thinking is that he has to hold on to the ball. Don't fumble out last chance, we can still do this on fourth down. Suddenly, he gets out of it. "OH!" He throws. "OHHH!" Tyree goes up and ctaches that ball against his helmet. I have no words. About a minute later, I mutter a "Did he catch that? How? WE"RE GOING TO WIN!"

Steve Smith, Clutch first down! First and 10.

"Manning, lobs it, BURRESS! ALONE! TOUCHDOWN NEW YORK" People in space could have heard me scream. We were going to do it! We've won the Super Bowl! We did it!

Wait, these are the New York Giants. Is it possible? Can they tear my heart out again. I mean, this is Tom Brady with the ball and plenty of time. I calm myself down and prepare for the worst. As soon as that fourth down pass fell incomplete, everybody expected me to go nuts. I didn't. Again, I fell to my knees and started crying my eyes out. My dream has come true. The New York Giants are the Super Bowl Champions.

I repeat, The New York Giants are the Super Bowl Champions.

Thank you for this opportunity.

I go to college in South Carolina, and know only one other Giants fan that goes to my school. My roommate is a Patriots fan, and all my other friends just enjoy rooting against the Giants for fun. All year I heard it. Starting 0-2. I had to watch the Bears game in a different room because I am superstitious and I felt my friends were giving the Giants bad luck by rooting against them. (I switched rooms when Eli threw the interception in the end zone and the Giants were down 16-7... we know how that ended.)

I heard how the Giants would never end the Patriots perfect regular season. (I blame myself for that loss as well. My buddy and I were watching the game and the Giants had just scored to make it 28-16, when I decided to finish watching it at a party my girlfriend was at to see her a little. And we know how that turned out. My apologies to all Giants fans everywhere.) Through the playoff run, it was the same old stuff. "The Giants are going to get steamrolled by Tampa". Except not, as Eli shows us how good he can be.

Dallas was especially sweet for me. I hate Dallas more then anything, and many of my friends are Dallas fans. All week it was "0-3" "Sweep" "Giants are going to get killed by Romo again!". Then that game was about as heart stopping as any... that is, until next week. With Romo in control, Dallas driving, and time winding down, I just knew I was being set up for the most crushing defeat I had ever seen. Except not, as R.W. picks off the choker that is Romo, and the Giants win, proving everyone except for us die-hards wrong.

Next week, all I hear about is Week 2, and Brett Favre, and how the Giants are going to get killed again. Remember how heart stopping I said the Dallas game was? Well this was worse. Every missed field goal brought a wave of trash talking from people who had just decided to root against the Giants because they knew how worked up I got about them and decided to mess with one of their friends. Well, Tynes misses, and its overtime. When the Packers won the toss, I turned to my friend who happens to be the only other Giants fan at the school, and stated simply, "They're going to break our hearts again aren’t they?". She said to shut up and watch the game, so I ended up watching Corey Webster justify his selection in one play, and Tynes justify his signing four plays later. I was ecstatic beyond belief, and couldn’t wait for the Super Bowl.

Which was two weeks later. Which meant two more weeks of trash talking, hating, and doubting from everyone in earshot. My roommate hammered me hardest, bringing up all this Week 17 stuff. (I mentioned to him that we didn’t have Bradshaw who, incidentally, would have the most rushing yards in the Super Bowl.) Of course, he had never heard of Bradshaw, and laughed at any notion of a Giants victory.

Well, the Super Bowl arrives, and our entire dorm building packs into the community room to watch the Super Bowl. Me and my friend Payton are the only Giants fans there, so we sit together right in front of the TV. My roommate sits behind me, so every time the Patriots do something positive, I get to hear it! The first three quarters of the game are uneventful, compared with what was to come.

Fast forward to 3rd and Goal. Brady back, Webster falls, Patriots 14, Giants 10.

Everyone goes crazy, and calls it game over. I calmly turn around and say simply, "Eli has the ball in a two minute drill. We are going to score, I just hope we don't do it so quickly that we give Tom Brady too much time." Everyone looked at me like I was crazy, but I knew I was right. See, I was at the Denver game in 05. Stayed till the end. Watched Eli march us back, and in that instant, knew he was going to be something great. The Super Bowl was just a manifestation of this greatness.

4th and 1. 3rd and 5. 3rd and 11. Jacobs. Tyree. Smith. The amount of clutch and moxie shown on this drive was incredible. I missed Eli escaping because I freaked out when I thought he was sacked. Not that I was too worried, because trust me, Eli would have converted that 4th down.

Flash forward. Manning, Lobs it, Burress, Alone, Touchdown New York!!! I went crazy. I broke down crying. Everything that had happened that season was for something. Everything the Giants endured was for the ultimate prize. Turned to my roommate and just smiled. Perfect season gone. Months of abuse finally vindicated.

Of course, as I feared, we left Tom Brady 35 seconds. The rest was a blur. Alford's sack, Gibril's deflection. :01.

:00

The Giants were World Champions. There has never been a feeling like it, and I doubt there ever will be again. Thank you, New York Football Giants, for giving me the moment of a lifetime.

-John D.

with my nine-year-old son.

I'm a third generation season ticket holder, and have been a die-hard Giants fan since the late 70's. I grew up watching the Giants on Sunday with my father, and going to the games with him and my sisters. My father and grandfather are always associated with the Giants to me, it was part of our bond.

My son, even though he plays Pop warner football, hasn't always enjoyed watching football on TV. I've taken him to a few Giants preseason games, but he's mostly into walking around the stadium and checking out the scene, than the game itself.

However, starting with the second half of Divisional Playoff in Dallas, my son seated himself in the livingroom and watched the game intently. When McQuarters intercepted the pass in the endzone to seal the win, the two of us jumped up and down and screemed ourselves horse - it was fantastic! The following week in Green Bay he watched the entire game at my sister's house. In fact, he had talked about the game all week, he actually anticipated the game as much as I did. Again, we celebrated like we did the week before, and went out and bought NFC Champion T-shirts Monday morning. We talked all about the Super Bowl for the following two weeks, and since we live in Connecticut, he was involved in banter with Patriot fans in school for the first time. I enjoyed hearing his stories when I came home from work each evening. After watching the Super Bowl at my other sister's I bought him a SB XLII Champions sweatshirt, which he wore to school every single day for three months, because he was so proud of his team.

I know he's anticipating the 2008 season, and I'm really looking forward to his company for an entire season. I only hope we can take it through to February again - it was a great experience for my family.

who died in mid-season. Maybe this would be of interest to you.

If you want it edited or trimmed, I'd be happy to work with you on it. Bob was very important to us here on BBI.


Bob In Annapolis - ( New Window )

Big Blue

Never given a chance
As few even counted in
Despite all they overcame
Most doubted they could win.

But they had each other
To urge onto the game
Stomping into history
Will never be the same.

The Bucs were gonna take them
They didn’t stand a chance
Was a foregone conclusion
Not invited to the dance.

Then onto the Cowboys
Many picked to take it all
The Giants never mentioned
Till the mighty took a fall.

As the clock ticked zero
Even less to fear
As got after Romo
Made T.O. shed a tear.

Walking on the frozen tundra
Eli outplayed the wily vet
Emotions picking Favre
As many took that bet.

Now they had arrived
Surely here would be respect
But if the Pats believed
Was sure hard to detect.

So the defense erupted
And knocked Brady apart
This game was won by trenches
Big Blue sure showed their heart.

As the mighty D-line roared
Pierce, Osi, Strahan and Tuck
Whole unit made it clear
Nothing to do with luck.

-2-

Then the miracle play
There’s Eli pulling free
The “Catch” upon the head
Hell, that was Tyree!

Each Giant did us proud
Ending the “perfect season”
A final miraculous win
Beyond all rhyme and reason.

Still feels like a dream
But realizing now it’s true
Giants are Super Bowl Champs
So, here’s to our BIG BLUE!!!


To The G-Men

Tim H.
2/14/08

The Miracle:

Most people know the date Feb. 3, 2008, it was a Sunday and to be more specific it was Super Bowl Sunday. It was the conclusion of one of the most improbable playoff runs ever and the pinnacle of an underdog team playing against all odds. Some would say it was both the greatest Super Bowl ever and the biggest upset as well.
It was a day of miracles and dreams come true. The end of perfection, but the beginning of so much more! That day was so much more for me personally though! My Dad’s 68th birthday was the following day and Mom had flown me to Hilton head to be there for both events. There was definitely some magic in the air, as the night before I stayed up late chatting with my sister and restoration had begun.

During the game, my Mom was the perfect host and retreated to her sanctuary when the real yelling began. I can’t even begin to describe the feelings that came over me while sharing this momentous occasion with my Dad, sister and her sons.
You see, I am a recovering addict/alcoholic and my selfishness and actions had kept me away from too many such gatherings. To be a part of this one was fantastic and as I watched my Dad whooping it up, tears of joy often filled my eyes. There was so much more going on here than just a game and I knew it.
Some would say that destiny was fulfilled on that field that day; I think it was also filled in that living room as well. God had brought me back here against incredible odds! Here was restoration at its finest. I could think of nowhere else on earth I’d rather be at that moment. My life had been filled with bad choices and less than stellar moments. Yet here was as close to perfection as I might ever get. Here we were, me and my Dad hugging, yelling and celebrating in each other’s arms. The past was where it belonged, in the past. I had no clue what the future might bring, but I knew here and now I was enjoying these precious moments. Even now I can replay it in my mind and smile and tear up.

Some may say that Eli breaking free was a miracle, and that Tyree catching it on his head was spectacular. I say, without hesitation or doubt that the greatest miracle of that day was my being in that living room celebrating and whooping it up with my family. One of my sister’s sons was really upset that the Pats lost and took it hard. He lifted his head at one point and whispered, “The perfect season is over.” Perfection is something I used to strive for, until I realized there is only one who can attain that and I chose to give my life to him and it has made all the difference!
My sister’s other son said he’d never seen two people so excited in his life, as he watched Me and my DAD jump around like little children. I think he feared that one of us might have a heart attack. But, it was just two grown men, Giant fans, acting like children and abandoning all restraints. It was pure joy and jubilation and it helped that the Giants also won.
So, yes there were miracles that day that I will never ever forget, however, my biggest miracle happened in a living room in S. Carolina and not on a 100 yard field!!!

God Bless Tim H. 2/20/08

after a season of so many ups and downs. My friend and I attended the December home game vs. the Redskins in December. What a perfect way to start our college winter break, or so we thought. The Giants played arguably their worst game of the season, at home nonetheless. Eli Manning had the most incompletions in a single game, and Todd Collins connected with Sinorice Moss a few times deep. As we sat in the iced over Meadowlands parking lot, we wondered how the heck this team would even make the playoffs, let alone make some noise. Another year of one and done would have been horrible.

Fast forward to early February, and here we are back at school, in Scranton, Pennsylvania; Philadelphia Eagle territory. My friend and I watched the game with a group of people, but we were the only Giants fans. That fade pass stayed in the air forever. When Plaxico Burress caught the game winning touchdown pass, two 21 year old men erupted in joy. 35 seconds later, we were hugging and crying.

It seems kind of silly for a 21 year old such as myself to cry over a football game. In the recent years, I have developed an emotional attachment to the New York Football Giants. For 3 years I had heard it all about Eli Manning. I had friends and family that were Cowboys fans, Eagles fans, Redskins fans, and Steelers fans. Every Monday afternoon I was left defending the guy who has been more dissected than a frog in high school biology lab. Every pass and every emotion was criticized; but I never once jumped off his bandwagon and knew he was the future of this franchise. The tears were even stronger that night when they zoomed in on him after the game. He was by himself for a moment, and had that sigh of relief look on his face. He knew he shut the critics ups. That is one emotion that will never be criticized and one moment I will remember for the reset of my life.

Summerall's kick sailed though the snow and goal posts. Long time.

This year, in December it became clear that my daughter in London was becoming serious about a young man. I needed to meet him, and soon. My wife and I had a long weekend during the first weekend in February. My wife made the necessary reservations, and then I double-clutched. Super Bowl weekend.

"No problem", I said. "The Giants won't be playing."

Watched the Patriots game and thought that we could compete, but Brady was too good. Not enough pressure.

Tampa Bay. Eli made 'em pay for selling out to stop the run. Great game.

Dallas. Early touchdown! Two endless Cowboy drives. Smith with a great catch. Touchdown! OMG, what's going on in the fourth quarter. Could the Giants make the big stop? Eli, how could you miss him? WTF, first down on illegal contact there? The Cowboys get all the breaks! Illegal grounding! Oh man, Crayton slowed down! :-) And McQuarters intercepted the pass!!! (Why didn't he just knock it down?)

On to Green Bay. Cold. How can Eli and Plax be so dominant in the cold? Favre is self-destructing. Great interception! But fumble it back? OMG, the Giants are self-destructing. The Giants can move the ball. Great drive. OMG, he missed it. McQ, WTF? That's twice! Quit trying for the big play by running laterally and exposing the ball! Overtime! And Favre's got the ball and a chance to add to the legend! Interception! Tynes again? From 47? The ball's got to be a brick. It's good! OMG, we're going to the Super Bowl!

And I'm going to London! To meet a guy. And the game will start at what, 11 something? Maybe I can find a pub, but don't they shut down, stop serving, relatively early?

Arrival in London. The game's on the telly, if my hotel has the right channels. It does! International feed, with different announcers, and no commercials. Break to studio hosts for conversation every time the American game is paused for advertisements. Nice change. And slowly the commentary changes from a coronation of the Patriots to a begrudging respect for the Giants.

Pass to Boss! Yes! Great pass to Tyree for a touchdown! OMG, we're ahead! But...there's still plenty of time.

Of course Brady brings them down the field. Moss starts running in-cuts and is open. Touchdown Patriots. Inevitable. But the Giants put up a good fight.

And there's over two minutes left! A good return and we can do this! Eli's always good in the clutch.

Hixon tackled inside the 20. Well, there's still plenty of time.

Toomer a yard short. Jacobs, first down!

Manning sacked! No, he's not! What kind of prayer is that? Tyree's got it. It didn't touch the ground! Clearly a catch! Wow!

Great play by Smith. Man, has he been clutch or what?

Blitz! Great block by Jacobs! OMG, he's open! Don't drop it! Get your feet in! He did it! We did it! OMG, we might win this thing!

But Brady's got time! And the telly turns off, all by itself. I get it on again! Third and whatever! Brady rolls right, and the telly again turns off of it's own accord. WTF! I get it going again. Fourth down! Incomplete! Belichick congratulates Coughlin and walks off the field. A kneel down. Yes! But remember The Fumble! Surely they can handle the snap... Eli's got it. The game's over!

Gotta be quiet. It's four in the morning! OMG, The GIANTS WON THE SUPER BOWL. And the Patriots lost. Damn, have to hear those Dolphins forever. Oh well. THE GIANTS WON!

And two weeks later, my daughter broke up with him!

Paul, Your story made me laugh out loud! thanks.
Arthur

My sister and I live up in the Boston area, our parents down in Connecticut. I went over to my sister's apartment to watch the Superbowl broadcast, glad to be around another Giants fan.

After the Tyree catch, our dad called, and we were handing off the phone, talking to him and our mom, all wowing over the catch and crossing our fingers for the plays to come.

We're watching the TV broadcast, while Dad's listening to WFAN with the TV on mute. WFAN is a few seconds ahead of the TV broadcast, so I'm being amazed at Steve Smith's awareness as the Giants set up for the next play.

As I'm watching the Giants line up, I hear Dad shout, "The Giants win the Superbowl!" A moment later, my sister and I are also on our feet, cheering the touchdown. We were still pretty nervous about the time left on the clock, but we were back on our feet for Alford's sack, the perfect exclamation point for the season.

After the game, I vaguely remember hearing my mom's "Wow," and handing the phone off again, but I can still hear my dad's voice, and that's always the first thing I think about when I remember that night.

"The Giants win the Superbowl!"