Feb 5, 2008 8:34 pm US/Eastern
Giants Return To Heroes' Welcome At Meadowlands
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) ―
For the first time in 17 years, the New York Giants came to clean out their lockers and had somewhere to go besides the offseason.
Less than 48 hours removed from their electrifying upset of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, the Giants were due for a celebration Tuesday that encompassed two states, several hours and hundreds of thousands of fans.
After arriving in buses from Manhattan, where they were feted with a parade, the Giants were met by a crowd of more than 20,000 fans at Giants Stadium, who roared when the team walked down to the field. The crowd saved their loudest cheers for when Coach Tom Coughlin emerged from the tunnel holding aloft the Super Bowl trophy.
During remarks to the raucous crowd Coughlin said, "You believed in us and this group of young men believed in themselves, and that's why we're standing here today."
The crowd erupted in cheers when wide receive David Tyree was introduced and pressed a football to his head, simulating his catch in the final minutes of Sunday's game to help the Giants win.
Many fans held signs referring to the New England Patriots failure to complete an undefeated season in the Super Bowl.
State Senate President Richard J. Codey also took a jab at the Patriots when he referred their video-taping scandal -- which occurred at Giants Stadium against the Jets in September.
"If the Patriots were here today, they could film all they want," Codey said.
Some of the loudest cheers were reserved for someone who may not be with the Giants next year. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was scheduled to meet with the Washington Redskins about their head coaching vacancy this week.
The celebration at Giants Stadium came after each member of the team received a key to the city from Mayor Michael Bloomberg following a parade in New York.
The parade afforded many players an opportunity to stand on the other side of the camera for a change.
"I've got my camera -- I'm going to be a cinematographer today," defensive end Michael Strahan said.
For many players, the reality of their stunning upset of the undefeated New England Patriots -- and New York's first Super Bowl championship since 1991 -- was slowly starting to sink in.
"We got fitted for rings today, and we're going to see the reaction of the city and see all our fans," punter Jeff Feagles said. "Those are the things that make this day really special."
The Giants' 17-14 win over the Patriots was especially gratifying for Feagles, a 20-year veteran who had never won a Super Bowl before Sunday.
Signed by the Giants in 2003, he nearly retired after the 2005 season because of injuries, but was convinced to return by Coughlin.
"It was worth every minute," Feagles said. "It's been a great experience, and I'm very proud to say I'm a New York Giant and a member of the world champions."
Quarterback Eli Manning said he'd probably wear his ring for a few days, then put it away somewhere safe.
Often maligned during his four-year career for his inconsistent performances, Manning rode a hot streak through the playoffs and now sits on the top of the football world as the Super Bowl's most valuable player -- the same honor his brother Peyton won last year with the Indianapolis Colts.
Typically self-effacing, Manning credited his teammates, who publicly expressed confidence in him during the rough spots.
"The guys in this locker room stood up for each other and believed in each other that we could get this done," he said.
"That's what you play for. You don't play for yourself. You play for your teammates."
Strahan, who missed training camp last summer while contemplating retirement after 14 seasons, finally has a Super Bowl ring to go along with seven Pro Bowl selections and numerous other accolades.
"A lot of people weren't saying this was a Super Bowl team at the beginning of the season," Strahan said before admitting, "I don't know if I could have said that myself. What makes this so special is that it was so unexpected."
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