NFL

Coughlin, Giants hold fundraiser for Jay Fund Foundation

Before the Giants fly to San Francisco, they struck gold at a fundraiser on Friday night.

Giants players and coaches such as Eli Manning, Osi Umenyiora, Chris Canty, Mark Herzlich and Tom Coughlin were all on hand at Cirpriani for the eighth annual Champions for Children Gala to benefit the Jay Fund Foundation.

The foundation, started in 1996, was established in honor of former Boston College football player Jay McGillis, who passed away in 1992 after being diagnosed with leukemia. McGillis played under Coughlin at BC.

”I wanted to give back in the name of Jay McGillis,” Coughlin said. “It’s been so well received and the Jay Fund is certainly implanted in New York City. Our whole objective is to help families who have children with leukemia or other forms of cancer. It’s the fulfillment of a lot of work and a great passion of ours.”

In addition to being close to Coughlin and other Giants players from Boston College such as Chris Snee and Mathias Kiwanuka, the Jay Fund and what it stands for hits home especially hard for second-year linebacker Mark Herzlich, who overcame cancer while playing college football for the Eagles and won a Super Bowl with the Giants last season.

”It means a lot [to be here],” Herzlich said. “Jay and my stories parallel very similarly. I know what it feels like to have your team and community rally around you and to fight to help you get well again. Unfortunately, Jay lost his battle but I’m fortunate enough to have won my battle and carry on that legacy that Jay left and keep motivating people to get well.”

The Giants actually have seemed to play well after attending the event. Big Blue have won all seven games immediately following the Champions for Children Gala, a good sign heading into an NFC Championship Game rematch with San Francisco on Sunday.

”I think the guys like being here for Coach Coughlin,” Manning said. “It’s good to get the new guys to see what Coach Coughlin is like when he’s not talking about football and helping people out.”