being a fan
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A short post to congratulate the New York Football Giants on winning another Superbowl. I’m lucky that I root for an NFL team that has had success in my lifetime, something I can’t say about any NBA teams that I’ve passionately cheered for. I’ve liked the Giants since I figured out how football is played while living in the Tri-State Area. It’s fortunate that not only does my wife enjoy watching football as much as I do, she may be an even bigger Giants fan that I am. I have never seen the Giants play in the Meadowlands, old or new, whereas she sat in MetLife Stadium through the entire last game that the Giants lost this season (yes that putrid effort against the Redskins). (I first took her to see the Giants live in Ford Field, Detroit in 2007, that team also won the Superbowl).
I like to consider myself an educated fan and as such I like to root for athletes I perceive to be intelligent and humble (I have no idea what these guys are like in their day-to-day lives but they come across as men of substance). For example, my favorite basketball player is Steve Nash. A sweet passing game is a beautiful thing to behold and makes teammates better. Not only is he a two time NBA MVP, he plays soccer, makes films (including a great ESPN documentary on Canadian Terry Fox) and even skateboards. Also a very socially conscious individual.
The New York Giants were blessed by the football gods to get Eli Manning. Early in his career he was perceived to be disinterested because of his body language and quiet personality, even called out by teammate Tiki Barber. But it seems that calm demeanor serves him just fine. His performance in the 4th quarter of the two biggest games he’s played allowed him to succeed where others might have folded under pressure. He doesn’t comes across as an arrogant professional athlete or diva like other NFL players. I don’t recall seeing him throw a fit when a receiver drops a pass or runs the wrong route or someone misses a block. In interviews, he always credits his team before himself. It’s documented that he goes beyond mandatory meetings and leads his own film sessions with his receivers.
His and hers Eli Manning jerseys.
Thanks Giants and Eli Manning for giving us a season we won’t soon forget.
Themocracy