Giants finish celebration in Jersey
Fans reach out to touch the Vince Lombardi trophy held by New York Giants' Brandon Jacobs, left, during a victory celebration rally at MetLife Stadium. (Feb. 7, 2012) Credit: AP
Call it the after party. When the confetti finished falling in Manhattan Tuesday, the celebration moved across the Hudson River to New Jersey. The Giants estimated that 40,000- 45,000 fans came to pay a second tribute to the Super Bowl champions at MetLife Stadium.
The celebration was similar to what took place at City Hall earlier in the day. The players and coaching staff were introduced to the crowd, followed by the three captains and the head coach: Zak DeOssie, Justin Tuck, Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin.
"There's no place like home," team president and chief executive John Mara said, "and we are very proud to call New Jersey our home."
Steve Tisch, team chairman and executive vice president, said, "Two nights ago 111 million people saw the New York Giants cancel the Brady Bunch!"
After Eli spoke, Naughty by Nature put a new spin on their '90s hit "OPP," changing the lyrics to "Down with JPP" for defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who got up and danced. Then "We Are the Champions" was played amid more confetti and fireworks.
Brandon Jacobs took the Lombardi Trophy for a spin around the stadium, allowing the fans to reach over the wall and touch it as he went on a victory lap.
Some players, like Ahmad Bradshaw and Hakeem Nicks, stuck around and signed autographs. Victor Cruz also spent time giving high-fives to the fans around the stadium.
At one point, the crowd was treated to a highlight film of the season on the video board, culminating in the Super Bowl win.
"The theme was finish," Coughlin said, "and this is an incredible finish."
