New York cheers team that's 'best when backs are against wall'

Published: Feb 05, 2012 at 02:48 PM

NEW YORK -- The repeat performance was just as good as the first for New York Giants fans as they watched their team again beat the New England Patriots 21-17 Sunday in the Super Bowl.

In Times Square, fans spilled out of the numerous sports bars in the area yelling "Giants! Giants! Giants!"

As motorists drove by, some people yelled "Giants" out their windows and passers-by roared and waved their Eli Manning jerseys.

Police officers tried to keep pedestrians from overcrowding the street corners, but groups of people loitered at every corner high-fiving anyone in Giants blue and white.

"This is the place to be after a big Giants win, man, and we're going to win again next year too," said Lewis Stanton, 19, a college sophomore who lives in Hoboken, N.Y.

"I love to see this city like this, people happy and celebrating about the same thing," said Eliza Edwards, 22. "The G-Men have that effect; their wins make us proud."

At Stout, a packed sports bar in midtown Manhattan, fans erupted into cheers and dancing as Queen's "We Are the Champions" blared over speakers.

"Eli Manning is the greatest fourth-quarter comeback quarterback ever," said Andrew West, 28, of Manhattan. "Overall, it was a great game for both teams, but the Giants sort of pulled it out.".

Frank Gerald, 39, of Manhattan called the win, "destiny," and said the Giants had "incredible spirit all year long."

"It seems like every time people count them out, the Giants come through and prove everyone wrong," said Keith Panzarella, 23, of Queens. "They are the best when their backs are against the wall."

The last time the teams met in the big game in 2008, the Giants upset the undefeated Patriots 17-14 in one of the most exciting Super Bowls ever. Two days later, massive crowds cheered the Giants as they paraded up Broadway's Canyon of Heroes.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who planned to attend the game in Indianapolis, announced the City would host a ticker-tape parade and ceremony for the Super Bowl champions on Tuesday.

"Big Blue gave us a game to remember, and on Tuesday we're going to give them a parade to remember," said Bloomberg in a statement released after the game.

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