Tape this, New England!
The Giants proved last night that cheaters never prosper, as Big Blue shocked the world with a thrilling 17-14 victory over the previously undefeated – but scandal-plagued – New England Patriots.
“The greatest victory in the history of this franchise, without question,” said jubilant Giants owner John Mara.
Plaxico Burress caught the winning touchdown pass with 35 seconds left for the winning points.
Burress, the Giants’ tree of wide receiver, had been in hot water for boldly predicting early last week that Big Blue would win a low-scoring fight.
“It’s the greatest feeling in professional sports,” said a tearful Burress.
Veteran Giant sack master Michael Strahan said he knew his team could back up Burress’ tough words.
“We watched a lot of TV,” Strahan said. “We had a lot of free time. I remember somebody saying the Giants have a false sense of confidence from the first time they played. We got confident. My guys are the best in the world.”
Giants quarterback Eli Manning finally emerged from the shadows of his big brother, last year’s Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning.
Now Eli and his big brother are tied, 1-1, in Super Bowl rings.
“An unbelievable game and an unbelievable feeling,” said the younger Manning.
Other than the Manning-to-Burress TD toss, the game’s second biggest play was a leaning, circus catch by David Tyree. Moments before the winning score, Tyree jumped high over two Patriots defenders and cradled the football into his own helmet.
“That might be one of the great plays of all time in the Super Bowl,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said.
Pats coach Bill Belichick couldn’t bear to watch the Giants celebrate on the field.
The coach nicknamed “Belicheat” rumbled past game officials and the referee with 1 second left on the clock to hug and congratulate Giants coach Tom Coughlin.
Then Belichick beat a hasty exit for the locker room before the final ticked off and the Giants became kings of football.
Belichick has been one of football most controversial figures after the Jets exposed him earlier this season for cheating – by videotaping opposing coaches, in violation of league rules.
Coughlin praised his players, and told them Saturday that there’s nothing sweeter than the taste of Super Bowl victory.
“We had to battle hard to get this thing,” Coughlin said. “But I told them last night ‘Other than family, the greatest feeling in the world in the world is when, all of the sudden, you realize you’re the world champion.”
With Post Wire Services