No toughness, no championship. That’s one of the Giants’ mottos.
Apparently, that fighting spirit goes all the way up to the team matriarch.
During the postgame celebration following the 20-17 overtime victory over the 49ers in the NFC Championship, Ann Mara, the widow of the late Giants patriarch Wellington Mara, gave an earful to FOX host Terry Bradshaw.
As Bradshaw was preparing to interview receiver Victor Cruz, she approached Bradshaw, tapped him on the arm and said, loudly, “You never pick the Giants.’’
Off to the right, her son, Giants co-owner John Mara, could be seen giving an “Oh, no’’ look.
“Mom, mom,’’ John Mara said, but her message had already been delivered.
Bradshaw, cracking a smile, said, “I’m sorry, I’m getting hammered for not picking the Giants.’’
Coach Tom Coughlin yesterday did not sound surprised to hear Ann Mara would stick up for her team.
“I know … Mrs. Mara’s attitude is reflective of the way that we would hope our team plays,’’ he said. “She has great energy and tremendous interest and she is so interested in the team playing well and doing well.’’