Giants' Tyree still catching a hero's reception

Bob Glauber
March 6, 2008

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David Tyree used to brag to friends that he could go anywhere in the New York metropolitan area and not be recognized.

But after making perhaps the most spectacular catch in Super Bowl history, those days are over.

Even in the time he was standing outside Mickey Mantle's restaurant last night talking to a reporter, Tyree was approached at least half a dozen times by passersby who had seen him make the catch and were looking for a piece of immortality. Even if it was having him scribble his name on a piece of scratch paper.

"Really, the thing that's changed for me is how other people now look at me," Tyree said before diving into a gaggle of autograph seekers at a benefit auction organized by "Heroes 4 Heroes" benefiting "Jeremy's Heroes." "I really haven't changed inside, but after what happened in the Super Bowl, life is a little different," he said. "It's all good, though. I'm just riding the wave."

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Well, maybe it is a little difficult to get a dinner out these days, what with all the attaboys and autographs that are as much a part of the culinary experience as surf and turf. But Tyree is not a reluctant hero. Ever since cradling Eli Manning's pass to the side of his helmet and hanging onto the ball to complete the most remarkable reception in Super Bowl history, Tyree has turned the signature moment into a perpetual celebration. And a cottage industry.

Tyree has signed a lucrative autograph deal. He makes regular appearances at charity events like the one last night for "Jeremy's Heroes," a nonprofit organization whose mission is to identify children in need, provide assistance for participation in sports and character education, and promote examples of excellence and heroism exemplified by 9/11 hero Jeremy Glick, who helped prevent terrorists from crashing United Flight 93 into its intended target in Washington, D.C.

"These are good causes," he said. "I have my own foundation I work with, and whenever I can help out something worthwhile, I'll do it."

Tyree is also writing a book about his life; it's due out in September.

There is no better time to share his message of faith and football, capitalizing on one of the most dramatic moments in sports history. After Tyree came down with Manning's 32-yard pass, the Giants scored the winning touchdown in the final seconds to beat the previously undefeated Patriots, 17-14, in Super Bowl XLII. "I've been through a lot in my life, and it's an opportunity to share my experience," he said. "So much has happened to me just in these last few months alone."

It is difficult to imagine a more emotional sequence of events than the one Tyree has gone through since December:

On Dec. 16, the night before the Giants played the Redskins at Giants Stadium, his mother, Thelma, died of a heart attack, prompting Tyree to take a leave of absence.

Then it was Tyree, mostly in his role as a special-teams expert but also as a receiver, getting the Giants in position to reach Super Bowl XLII with an unlikely playoff run.

He caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Manning to give the Giants a 10-7 lead over the Patriots earlier in the fourth quarter. And then the spectacular grab from Manning to set up the game-winning touchdown throw to Plaxico Burress.

The parade down the Canyon of Heroes in New York two days later, where Tyree celebrated by holding a football to his head to celebrate his catch.

Two weeks after the game of his life, he and his wife, Leilah, celebrated the birth of twin daughters Hannah and Sophia.

It is a complete turnabout from his days at Syracuse, where he admits to drinking so heavily he would occasionally pass out. He was arrested for marijuana possession in 2004, which eventually prompted him to become more serious about his Christian beliefs.

"I've got a great life," he said. "I really couldn't imagine it any better. There have been some heartaches along the way, but there have been so many blessings, too."

The miracle catch was just the latest.

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