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New York -- The bleachers of Harlem River Ball Field (E. 128th St. and Third Ave.) were rocking Wednesday as Congressman Charles Rangel, local elected leaders and local school athletes honored the Super Bowl champion New York Giants at a community celebration .
Rangel was joined by City Councilmembers Inez Dickens and Melissa Mark Viverito, as well as New York Assemblyman Keith Wright and a cross section of athletes from variety of Upper Manhattan’s school and sports programs.
“Ever since their magnificent days at the Polo Grounds on 155th & Eighth Avenue, the New York Giants have given this city a mountain of memories, perhaps no greater than this year’s Super Bowl,” said Rangel. “What better role models to remind our youth about the importance of teamwork, perseverance than these great local champions. “
Congressman Rangel with Giants' players Amani Toomer and Justin Tuck
pose with Assemblyman Keith Wright, City Councilmember Roobert Jackson and local youth athletes.
The crowd in attendance cheered as an embossed copy of the Congressman’s remarks honoring the Giants in Congress soon after their historic 17-14 Super Bowl XXII win over the New England Patriots was presented to Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer and defensive end Justin Tuck.
Toomer thanked the Congressman and the crowd for the outpouring of support that he and the team have received during and after their playoff run.
“These last three weeks after winning the Super Bowl -- and really the entire season -- have just been such a special experience for us,” said the Giants veteran. “Obviously winning the Super Bowl is every NFL player’s dream but I couldn’t have ever dreamt that we would receive the amount of support that we have from this great city.”
The Giants in turn presented the Congressman with an autographed football, signed by all the members of championship squad. The Congressman graciously accepted the gift and then promptly turned it over to New York City Parks Department Commissioner Andrian Benepe.
“This is the kind of treasure that just doesn’t belong to me or my office, but to the entire city,” said Rangel.
CHAMPIONS ON & OFF THE FIELD
City Councilmember Inez Dickens, who MCed the program that was co-sponsored by New York City’s Parks’ Department, thanked Toomer, Tuck and the rest of the team for bringing the city their first sports championship since 2000.
“The "Men In Blue" once again brought the world championship of the NFL back to the world's greatest City - New York, NY ,” said Dickens. “I am proud to join with Chairman Charles B. Rangel to welcome them to our Village of Harlem and honor these champions and gentlemen on their triumph for all New Yorkers."
City Councilmember Melissa Mark Viverito thanked the players not just for their football achievements, but their performance off the field as well.
"Today is a proud day for the East Harlem/El Barrio community because we get to celebrate with the Super Bowl Champs right here that some of these players have helped rebuild,” said Viverito. “We are proud to have a local partner in the NFL. They, along with local elected officials like Congressman Rangel, have helped improve and expand the recreation facilities like Harlem River Park Ballfield, helping to make East Harlem/El Barrio a better place for our youth and families.”
Assemblyman Keith Wright, a vocal supporter of the youth sports efforts like the Harlem Hellfighters football team, thanked the players for giving the public one of the greatest games seen on that kind of world stage.
“It was like David slaying Goliath,” said Wright. “The triumph of underdog, the triumph of the one everyone counted out. That’s a story that all New Yorkers, especially Harlemites, can be forever proud to tell.”
Though happy to celebrate their recent victory, Giants players and fans weren’t quite ready to close the book on their championship tale.
“We won the Super Bowl this year and I really don’t think we played our best football,” said Toomer. “Our best football is still ahead of this team and we all look forward to getting back to work and making this city proud of us again next season.”
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