Photo via William Perlman/The Star-Ledger
Confession: I, a New York Jets fan, watched the Giants’ Super Bowl parade and actually maybe kinda sorta almost possibly mildly appreciated it. Not in the I’m jumping the sinking Jets ship and hopping aboard the smooth rolling Giants float kind of way. But more in the NY Giants have earned my respect for their impressive comeback story kind of way.
The Giants were written off mid-season and torn to shreds by the media. Led by a “second-tier” quarterback that lacked league-wide respect, a coach that continually found himself in the hot seat, and a do nothing GM; yet, down the stretch, they somehow managed to stay united and outperform superior teams, including the New England Patriots starring the NFL’s golden boy, Tom Brady, and master strategist and coach, Bill Belichick, to win it all. The final act of their redemption story is indeed one that true sports fans can draw inspiration from and rally around. I certainly did.
As I watched the parade, I recognized a smile sneak its way between my lips. Though alone, I dripped with guilt. After all, I hate the Giants. And this was not the typical reaction expected from a Jets fan. But in that very rare moment, I allowed myself to withhold any Jets bias. Instead, I fully embraced what was happening as a teachable moment. It was equivalent to shining a black light on the Jets’ situation and revealing all types of gross things.
Think about it. The turning point of the season for the Jets and Giants came on Christmas Eve when they faced each other at MetLife Stadium. Leading up to the game, Rex Ryan ran his mouth, per usual, about the Jets owning New York. But his tough talk was cheapened by the shellacking handed to them by Tom Coughlin’s team. Unbeknownst to us at the time, this game would prove critical in writing the ending of each team’s story. The 29-14 beating was so ugly, so bad, so brutal, the Jets never fully recovered. Yet, from that moment on, the Giants continued to improve with each game.
Though both teams share the media spotlight, it’s easy for me to tune out the Giants rhetoric. But yesterday was different. Yesterday, I listened as Justin Tuck, Eli Manning, Tom Coughlin, and even Michael Strahan addressed fans at City Hall. And the more I listened, the more I became envious. And it had nothing to do with downtown NYC being painted blue. Instead it was about the Giants having something Jets teammates lacked, loyalty and respect toward each other. When outside influences like the media tried to distract the Giants, they remained committed to each other. When their fans turned their backs on them, the Giants continued to believe in themselves and each other. They never publicly and anonymously aired out their grievances. Unlike the Jets, they never quit on each other. Through it all, the good and bad, they supported one another and worked as a team.
When the Jets season ended early, I said it was the best thing that could’ve ever happened to them. I hoped, for once, it would make the Jets own up to their shortcomings and force Rex Ryan to shut up. But now that the NFL season is officially over, I retract that statement. The New York Giants, their hometown rivals, winning the Super Bowl is the best thing that could have ever happened to the Jets. Literally having Mayor Michael Bloomberg hand each New York Giant a key to the city is the best lesson the universe could teach Rex Ryan and his team.
Isn’t it ironic? The Giants victimized six teams on their way to winning the Super Bowl, and was the cause of the Jets’ season dying an early death on Christmas Eve. And when the Jets resurrect themselves next season, return to the scene of the crime, and see the addition of the Super Bowl XLVI logo, the Jets will have no one to blame but themselves. They paved the way for the Giants to make such a glorious run. It’s as if the universe wasn’t convinced that the Jets would learn from missing the playoffs, so it served up a double dose of humble pie, so large, there’s enough to fill the oversized mouths of every member of the entire organization; just the way destiny intended.
Wow.. this was so well written, i’m almost envious of your writing style. But to your point, yes the Giants should serve as a catalyst for Jets to revive their once up and coming solid football team. But I have a question that I may never understand unless im from new york, but i’ll ask anyway. Since I’m from Boston, we have one team Baseball team, one Football team, ect… But New York has the 2 baseball and football teams.. How do you become a “Jets” fan versus “Giants” fan? How do you become a “Mets” fan versus a “Yankees” fan? Do you just pick as a kid because of the colors? Is it become your Dad/Mom likes a certain team? Bc/ you live in a certain borough?
And i noticed a lot of Jets fans are like whatever about the Giants victory. Indifferent or enraged. I would figure, a New York win is a New York win. Its hard for a Boston fan to live in New York around these times… ugh.. so hard.
thanks chuck! ahhh, all non NYers ask this question, lol. and there a couple of factors that determine your fandom:
1.Yes, New Yorkers are no different from other sports fans that choose a team based on their parents, grandparents affiliation etc., so that’s definitely one way.
2. Location is another. For example, and I’m totally generalizing, but people from Queens and Long Island tend to be Islanders, Mets and Jets fans. Mets b/c they’re based in Queens, Jets because they used to practice on LI until a couple of years ago, and Islanders b/c they’re based on LI. Brooklynites fall in the middle and Bronx and Manhattanites skew toward the Rangers, Giants and Yankees. I’m a mixed rare breed and break this rule, tho. I’m a LIer but am a Knicks, Jets, and Yankees fan.
3.Another factor depends on which era you were born into. If the Jets were hot when you were younger, then you’ll most likely be a Jets fan and so on and so forth.
4. Color doesn’t matter as much although back in the day, I did use to hear that people that grew up in the projects were Knicks and Mets fans b/c orange and blue are also the colors of the projects. Who knows for sure, tho, lol.
As for most of the enraged Jets fans you know, they probably hate that the Giants had to fight our battle for us. I agree it’s sickening, but not worse than another Patriots Super Bowl, at least for me. Because trust me, if the Giants hadn’t beat the Patriots I’d be whatever about their win too, but b/c the last thing I want is another Pats SB win, I’ll take it.
I don’t doubt that it’s hard being a Boston fan in New York, but that doesn’t stop you from reppin Beantown, nor should it. Besides, you guys had a nice little run! .
as usual, thanks for the continued support!