Almost one million New York Giants fans lined the Canyon of Heroes to party like it’s 2008.
After defeating the New England Patriots 21-17 in a rematch of Super Bowl 42, the Giants paraded down the Canyon of Heroes to celebrate the team’s second championship in four years.
The parade began at Battery Place and Washington Street at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 7 and continued northbound up the Canyon of Heroes to Worth Street. The parade was followed by a ceremony at City Hall Plaza, at which Mayor Michael Bloomberg presented the champion Giants with keys to the city.
As hundreds of thousands of supporters converged on downtown Manhattan, fellow followers of the team were stuck at work and class.
“I wish I was at the parade, unfortunately I couldn’t get out of work,” said Queens resident Jake Hendrickson. “I celebrated on Sunday.”
“I went in 2008, and it was a lot of fun. I skipped class that day, but today I had a test,” said Darren Adler. “It’s a great day for a parade.”
Those that were able to successfully play hookie from work and school were rewarded with a clear, sunny 47-degree day.
[Click here for all the photos from the parade]
The mayor who called Big Blue’s victory an “incredible win for our city,” said the parade would bring in between $19 to 38 million while costing the city nothing thanks to the parade’s sponsors.
The Giants super-win capped a run that featured the team going from 7-7 to Super Bowl champs, a feat that impressed Governor Andrew Cuomo.
“I congratulate the New York Giants on beating the odds and winning Super Bowl XLVI,” the governor said. “After nearly missing the playoffs, the Giants have made history by becoming the first NFL team to win the Super Bowl after going 9-7 in the regular season. I look forward to celebrating this victory with all New Yorkers.”
The game — a rare sequel that was just as good as the original — was still in the balance in the last minute.
“The game was amazing; how they won, beating New England, Eli [Manning] beating [Tom] Brady, everything,” said Giants fan Mario Guzman.
The Giants weren’t the only winners on Sunday — local politicians also cashed in on the win. Congressmember Gary Ackerman won New England clam chowder and clam rolls from Congressemember Mike Capuano. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will also be chowing on some chowder courtesy of Massachusetts Senator John Kerry.
Big Blue’s victory also scored four lucky New Yorkers an all-expense paid trip to Boston compliments of Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.
