New York State Executive Chamber | Governor Eliot Spitzer

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Proclamation

Whereas, all New Yorkers join to congratulate the players, coaches and staff of the National Football League Champion New York Giants and celebrate, with great pride, their stunning victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII to clinch one of the most celebrated titles in sports history and bring that distinction back to New York for the first time in 17 years; and

Whereas, Sunday, February 3, 2008 marked a momentous day in New York State and added a whole new chapter to the annals of sports history, as the mighty Giants won the coveted NFL title in the ultimate game against the Patriots, eradicating a previously perfect undefeated season and leaving an indelible mark on the sport of professional football; and

Whereas, the entire Giants team demonstrated skill, tenacity and sheer will in bringing home the highly coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy - more importantly, they embodied a spirit of sportsmanship that is characteristic of all champions from the Empire State; and

Whereas, while many of the team members have earned highest appraisals of their dazzling performance and contributions to the victory, players like Eli Manning - named MVP - along with an incredibly resilient line of defense are the true game heroes, and every sports commentator's assessment of this feat ultimately also follows a path of deserved credit leading to Coach Tom Coughlin, who celebrates his first championship title since being named the 16th head coach of the team in January of 2004; and

Whereas, despite the popular view that the Patriots were the team of destiny, fated to emerge victorious from a game touted as a battle of David versus Goliath, the entire Giants organization as well as fans throughout the Empire State and beyond were motivated by the understanding that the term underdog was a misnomer, and while the Patriots were favored by 12 points, a final score of 17-14 would see the Giants deliver what some consider the biggest upset in Super Bowl history; and

Whereas, the Giants had one of the most inspiring and momentous postseason runs in NFL history and, in true New York fashion, undaunted by a few setbacks along the way and showing remarkable grit and fortitude, these tenacious athletes prevailed on the gridiron and their success comes down to playing the game both smart and fair; and

Whereas, all New Yorkers are immensely proud of the team that has combined so much talent and strength to form a well-organized franchise whose cohesive style of play sets a new standard in sports - and certainly football - history and we join to commend and congratulate the New York Giants on claiming the 2008 NFL Super Bowl Championship Title in a fitting end to a remarkable season;

Now, Therefore, I, Eliot Spitzer, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim February 5, 2008 as the New York Giants Super Bowl Champions Day in the Empire State with our best wishes for continued success for many seasons to come.

G i v e n under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the City of Albany this fifth day of February in the year two thousand eight.

Eliot Spitzer, Governor

Richard Baum, Secretary to the Governor