GUTS, GLORY & GIANTS FANS
INSPIRATIONINSPIRATIONINSPIRATIONINSPIRATION
As I sat there after the last 34 seconds expired and four last-gasp plays were stopped,drenched with sweat, hoarse from screaming and delirious at what we just had witnessed,I knew the sequel to “Those Super Giants Fans” published in 1986 was begging to bewritten. With this astounding and unfathomable playoff run, chances are we will never witness anything like this ever again.With tickets ranging from $700 (face) to five thousand and up, I doubt you will find oneGiants fan who would not agree with “it was worth every penny.” And for those of us whowent to Tampa, Dallas and/or Green Bay, we’ve personally witnessed our share of classic, nail-biting and joyous games that have ever been played. For this we thank:
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The Management – Wellington and Bob for laying the foundation, their kids for carrying on this great tradition, George for getting it started decades ago, Ernieand Jerry for building this team in the current era.
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The Coaches – Tom (for fighting through adversity), Kevin (for adjusting to theplayers) and Steve (for transforming our defense and for staying with us) andall the others, for everything it took craft this storybook tale, turning one of theyoungest teams in the NFL into the best, pretty much overnight.
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The Players – Michael, Amani, Jeff and every single other player, for sticking itout, for making it all happen on the field, for your resiliency and never givingup, no matter what anyone said at any point in the season.Pick any superlative you want, and it won’t do justice. Treasurethese past 6 games forever, relive the roller coaster ride that wasthis season, tell your kids and grand-kids about it, and rewardyourself for being die-hard fans that have been given the greatestSuper Bowl upset every (sorry Jets fans, this was better).Perhaps the biggest inspiration to the team was Lt. Col. GregGadson, the Iraq war hero who lost both legs, who inspired theGiants in talking with them before the week #3 game, again as anhonorary co-captain for the title game, and at SB42 as well.
Pinkus/AP Squire/GettyThe author and his wife Nadinebask in the joy of the greatestplayoff run and Super Bowlupset ever.
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