At the end of what has been a streaky, weirdly-paced season for the Giants comes perhaps the strangest bit of timing yet.
Today’s game against the Panthers will most likely be the last one for the Giants in the original Giants Stadium, the greatest football stadium in the world.
A Welcome Sight
Coming as it does, in the middle of the holidays, and not as it should, in the final week of the season, or as it would be scripted in a feel-good movie, with a victory in an NFC Championship game, this sendoff will be less than ideal.
But Giants Stadium deserves to be remembered fondly. It was the scene of a lot of football history during its 34 years. Instead of playing tenant in the Polo Grounds and Yankee Stadium, the Giants had their own house, a house that gave them one hell of a home-field advantage.
Your Giants Talk blogger’s history at Giants Stadium is relatively brief. It began on a beautiful September summer day in 1992. Rolled into the parking lot, took in some top-notch tailgate action, rolled into some fine lower-bowl end zone seats, and watched in stunned disbelief as the hated Cowboys rolled to a 34-0 lead. Phil Simms, ever the field general, rallied the Giants with four straight TDs to bring the Giants to within a TD at 34-28, and bringing the volume level to something bordering on unbelievable. The Giants came up short, but the crowd that day remains the loudest I’ve ever heard.
Since then, I’ve seen some big regular-season wins while at Giants Stadium. I’d like to see one more while watching at home today. Tell ‘em, Bruce.
I thought a sarcastic comment was in order, but it was sucked out of me with that video. My most vivid memory was, of all things, a preseason game. Jets-Giants 1987 sitting about 10 rows from the field at the 40 yard line. First play of the game, Taylor hits the edge at the speed of light. Down goes QB(Ryan/O’Brien?) The speed in which that happened was mind boggling. TV never did him justice. The second memory of that night? When going to get a beer I was told we don’t serve beer at Jets night games. WHAT????WHAT???WHAT???? Why I ask. “Jets fan tried to burn down the stadium last night game”. F-ing jets fans.
Comment by Lfordie — December 28th, 2009 @ 8:37 am
For me: the 86′ Super Bowl Celebration: Mecca was filled with snow,temps in the teens and still a huge crowd came to celebrate our first finest hour.
It started in New Haven with a cargo van filled with other fans headed south. Stuck in traffic just inside the state border, we were given two tickets to attend (one of which I still have) the event. Not sure who gave it to us, but it is a priceless part of my collection!
Tiny Tim serenaded the crowd,,, still not sure why… while the Great 22 of 25 Phil Simms, all World Lawrence Taylor and several other Pro Bowlers came to us via video feed from Hawaii.
Snowball fights and a long, long cold ride followed…. I still have vivid memories!
Comment by Henberg — December 30th, 2009 @ 8:40 am
@turncoat: What are your best memories of the Razah?
@henberg: You, Tommy and I had a nice win over the tough Cardinals during the midst of the Handley era, followed by a nice tour of Rte 9 establishments. McQueen!!!
Comment by Brian Hellauer — December 30th, 2009 @ 9:32 pm
Nevah been to the razah.
Comment by Lfordie — January 5th, 2010 @ 7:49 pm
I have to think back of my first time – but I have memories of early 80s with my Dad giants-washington low scoring game. I remember it like yesterday. I also admit to being at the infamous “snowball” Giants-Chargers game
Comment by JohnnyO — January 5th, 2010 @ 8:38 pm