Cancellation of Giants-Steelers game never considered
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks with the media before a game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Tennessee Titans. (Oct. 7, 2012) Credit: Getty
The NFL never came close to postponing Sunday's Giants-Steelers game at MetLife Stadium, the league said Friday.
Roger Goodell spoke with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday to make sure the game would not divert any resources from relief efforts in the face of devastation from Hurricane Sandy. According to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, the governor assured Goodell that was not the case and told the commissioner that he is pleased the game is being played.
So are others, including Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno, who stopped by Giants practice Friday to address his favorite NFL team.
"The message is the toughness here, the resiliency," coach Tom Coughlin said of Odierno's speech. "We will not be stopped by the storm. We will come back. We will fight our way through this. We will get things right again. Just the pride that has been demonstrated to the general this morning [in Manhattan], I think he verbalized very well for us out here."
Odierno, who is in New York with 10,000 soldiers to help in the recovery efforts, will be among those honored Sunday as the Giants and all other NFL teams participate in the NFL's Salute to Service. The Giants and the NFL will recognize first responders at the game and contribute $1 million to the Red Cross for relief efforts.
When the storm passed through on Monday without damaging MetLife Stadium, the league was prepared to play the game but remained in touch with local authorities. None of those authorities suggested changing the game, Aiello said.
Giant steps
The Steelers' plan to fly into New Jersey on the day of the game helped leave hotel rooms available to those who need them after being displaced by the storm. "The word that comes to mind is 'noble,' " Coughlin said of that gesture . . . TE Bear Pascoe surprised Coughlin -- and himself -- by practicing Friday and is listed as questionable. He'll test his ankle Sunday and could play. "I'm hoping to play," he said. "I'll get to the stadium early on Sunday, run and see how it feels." . . . LB Chase Blackburn (knee) was ruled out and will be replaced by Mark Herzlich . . . Coughlin confirmed that David Diehl will start at right tackle, replacing Sean Locklear. He said Stevie Brown will start at safety with Kenny Phillips (knee) being eased back . . . Steelers S Troy Polamalu (calf), OT Marcus Gilbert (ankle) and LB Stevenson Sylvester (hamstring) were ruled out. RBs Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) and Jonathan Dwyer (quad) are doubtful.
