Eli Manning--Super Bowl MVP
Posted on 05/09/2008 11:10:32 AM PDT by Ultra Sonic 007
WASHINGTON - President Bush lauded the NFL champion Giants today, calling their Super Bowl XLII triumph over the New England Patriots, “one of the great, legendary games in our country’s history.”
Bush made his remarks at a 30-minute ceremony to honor the 2007 Giants on the South Lawn of the White House that capped an incredible day for the organization. Approximately 40 players, the coaching staff and members of the front office visited with wounded soldiers and Marines at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The group received a private tour of the White House, then a standing ovation at the ceremony, which was also attended by Vice President Cheney, members of New Jersey and New York’s congressional delegation, and approximately 1,000 Giants fans, who cheered wildly as the champions took their positions for the ceremony and were feted by the president.
“In looking back, it’s hard to find many of the experts who predicted a Giant victory,” said Bush, noting that the Giants were once 0-2 and the Patriots entered the Super Bowl 18-0. “Most people were calling it a cakewalk; you know, be prepared to turn off your television sets early, because this isn’t much of a game you’re about to watch.” Bush went on to say it was a great game, which the Giants won, 17-14.
Prior to the ceremony, Bush met privately in the Rose Garden with Ann Mara, Wellington Mara’s widow; Giants president John Mara; Joan Tisch, the widow of Bob Tisch; Giants chairman Steve Tisch; general manager Jerry Reese; head coach Tom Coughlin; quarterback Eli Manning; wide receiver Amani Toomer – the senior player on the trip; and Greg Gadson, the U.S. Army lieutenant colonel who lost both legs in Iraq and became an inspirational figure for the champion Giants.
The Giants contingent at that meeting presented Bush with a blue No. 1 jersey and blue and white Giants polo shirts.
“The opportunity to meet the president was something I had looked forward to for many years,” Coughlin said. “I was very impressed by his preparation for our day. His remarks were inspirational and they brought back tremendous memories and feelings of accomplishment. I think our players enjoyed it. I think all New York Giants were very proud to be there.”
For the players who are so accustomed to being the center of attention, it was refreshing to play the wide-eyed fan for a change.
“I was in a place I never thought I’d be my whole entire life,” Toomer said. “You see it on T.V. and it’s weird to be there. The history of the White House and the different rooms we were in, I thought that was pretty cool.”
“Meeting the president and seeing the White House – those are things you really don’t get an opportunity to do every day,” defensive end Justin Tuck said. “It was great to come down here and be able to take advantage of that.”
The Giants arrived at the White House at about 1:15, following their emotional visit to Walter Reed. After some milling about on the lawn, they were briefed about what to expect at the ceremony. The entire Giants party then embarked on a tour of the White House. The guides were Secret Service agents who knew the detailed history behind every portrait, work of art and piece of furniture. The excursion through the house included stops in the East, Green, Blue, Red and State Dining rooms. The players and everyone else then had about 20 minutes to roam around the public areas of the house, as well as just outside the front door.
“I enjoyed the historic nature of things at the White House,” Coughlin said. “For us to come to the White House was a tremendous experience. We spent time in the different rooms, and of course they are very elegant. The grounds are beautiful.”
Just prior to the beginning of the ceremony, the newly-engraved Vince Lombardi Trophy was placed on a small table near the presidential podium. The Giants – players, coaches, trainers, equipment and video staffs – then walked down flights of winding stairs on either side of the small set of risers set up behind the microphone. When they were in place, Bush and Cheney suddenly appeared – the president striding directly to the podium and the vice president standing off to the side.
Bush exhibited a keen sense of humor throughout his remarks. When he first mentioned Coughlin – who recently signed a lucrative contract extension – he said, “He got the extension, that's a good thing. Makes it a little easier to be standing up here.”
The president, whose daughter Jenna is getting married on May 10, was clearly aware that Manning’s wedding was less than two weeks ago.
“It's good to be up here with the Super Bowl MVP, Eli Manning,” Bush said. “We have a few things in common. Eli has a father and a brother in the same business he's in. Sometimes, the press are skeptical. And he just survived a big wedding. So I asked him coming in, ‘Any advice?’ He said, ‘I wasn't father of the bride.’”
After the Giants defeated Dallas in an NFC Divisional Playoff, there was much speculation that Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo had been distracted by a bye-week trip to Mexico with girlfriend Jessica Simpson, a rumor that didn’t escape the president.
“We're going to send Jessica Simpson to the Democratic National Convention,” Bush said.
More seriously, Bush praised the Giants for their impressive achievements, including 11 consecutive victories away from Giants Stadium and consistently winning as underdogs.
“The New York Giants have one of the great storied histories in pro football,” Bush said. “And this club carried on that great tradition. Many would say this is probably the most exciting chapter ever written in the New York Giants' football history. After all, you started off the season and allowed 80 points in the first two games. That would be called a lousy start. And then you're playing the Redskins. And the game wasn't going very well, as I recall (the Giants trailed at halftime, 17-3). And then you rallied, and you won.
“A lot of the people that know something about football said that was the turning point. And the winning streak was interesting - six straight games, as I understand, on two different continents. You also had a great road record. I don't know if the fans understand this, but you piled up more away-game victories than (any team) in NFL history. And the good news is, your fans still loved you at home. They really loved you.”
Bush also spoke about the regular season finale against New England, when Coughlin ignored media criticism and played his starters despite having a playoff seed secured.
“In the last game of the season, a lot of folks thought the coach would just kind of lie down and let New England cruise to a perfect season,” Bush said. “I remember a lot of people speculating about that last game of the season - and yet you didn't, coach. Your team didn't win on the scoreboard, but you won the hearts of a lot of Americans for contesting the game.”
The president spoke about the NFC Championship Game in Green Bay (and cited Lawrence Tynes for his game-winning field goal in overtime), the last-minute comeback in the Super Bowl and the many charitable endeavors the Giants support.
Near the end of his speech he spoke about Gadson, whom the team saw for the first time since the Super Bowl when he arrived at Walter Reed – walking with two prosthetic legs and the aid of canes.
“I appreciate the fact, coach, that you and your players support our troops, but more importantly our troops appreciate the fact that you support them,” Bush said. “You've come to know the story, like I have, of Lieutenant Colonel Greg Gadson. He lost both of his legs while in Iraq. He first met up with the Giants in September when you invited him to address a pre-game meeting that helped inspire the comeback over the Redskins.
“Then you saw him in Tampa (before the NFC Wild Card Game), when he was trying out his legs that he walked on today to be on the stage with you. He was an honorary captain in Green Bay. He never left the sidelines, despite the 23-below wind chill. In your last team meeting before the Super Bowl, Lieutenant Colonel Greg Gadson urged you to have pride in your team and believe in yourselves, which is exactly what you did.
“I'm proud to be on the stage with this man. To me it's a symbol of your respect for our country and your patriotism, that you would let Greg Gadson be a part of this team. He has got the Purple Heart and three Bronze Stars, and now he's got a Super Bowl ring minted for a true giant.”
Gadson then received s standing ovation, with Bush asking the crowd to cheer for the entire Giants team. Then it was Coughlin’s turn to speak.
“Thank you, Mr. President, for those great words of inspiration,” Coughlin said. “You did a great job summarizing our season. And it’s a true privilege for all of us to be here. Thank you for inviting the New York Giants to the White House.
“The New York Giants of 2007 were called the road warriors. But we paled in comparison to the real warriors, the warriors that we visited today at Walter Reed. The thing that impressed all of us so much was their positive attitude, the look in their eye, their patriotism, the knowledge of what they were fighting for. As I always say, we receive great inspiration from our soldiers. It’s an honor to be with them and it’s an honor to be with them and an honor to have Greg Gadson with us in our drive to the Super Bowl championship number 42.”
Later, Coughlin said, “I thought the president’s words about the New York Giants organization, patriotism and the story of Lieutenant Colonel Greg Gadson, as told to over a thousand Giants fans that were in attendance, was a very moving tribute that has meant an awful lot to this team.”
After the ceremony concluded, Toomer then presented our 43rd president with a white Giants No. 43 jersey. Manning then stepped forward to give him a Super Bowl football signed by the entire team.
“When you place this ball in your trophy case and you pass by this ball, we would ask hopefully that you would reflect on the accomplishments on this great group of young men,” Coughlin said, “a group of men who believed in themselves, who refused to be beaten and brought greater honor and glory to the great game of professional football.”
Bush then spent several minutes shaking hands and chatting with players, coaches and owners. He gave backup offensive lineman Kevin Boothe a playful jab in the chest.
“I said I’m an Ivy League grad and that immediately caught his attention,” Boothe said. “He asked me where I went to school and when I replied ‘Cornell’ he got all excited. I told him I wouldn’t hold it against him that he went to Yale. He said he was proud there were a few Ivy Leaguers around, especially with Zak (DeOssie, who played at Brown) and me on the same team.”
For all the Giants, it was a remarkable day they will never forget. Coughlin summarized it best when he said, “I hope it’s not a once-in-a-lifetime experience
Kudos to these athletes.
Good words. Eli did quietly endure such extremely harsh criticism from the New York media and fans...constantly.
I’m glad the Lord answered it by letting Eli win the Super Bowl and the MVP, and after winning all those exciting play-off games.
It was an amazing thing to watch.
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