New York Giants - Greatest Sports Franchises
Early NFL
Of the five teams that joined the NFL in 1925, the Giants are the only one that still exists. In fact, the Giants are credited with helping to legitimize professional football in its infancy.
First Two Championships
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Between 1933 and 1946, Hall of Fame coach Steve Owen led Hall of Fame players Mel Hein, Red Badgro and Tuffy Leemans to eight championship games, and they walked away victorious twice.
Full of Hall of Famers
They added a third NFL championship in 1938 by beating the Green Bay Packers; however they didn’t win another league title until 1956. At that point, the team boasted Hall of Famers Frank Gifford, linebacker Sam Huff, offensive tackle Roosevelt Brown and all-pro running back Alex Webster.
1956 Championship
The 1956 championship team was led by head coach Jim Lee Howell, and had Vince Lombardi running offense while Tom Landry led defense.
Drought
Despite making it to the championship game five times from 1958 to 1963, the team failed to win a single time. However, the 1958 effort did help grow the league’s popularity.
League-Worst Record
The team came crashing back to reality in 1966 with a league-worst 1-12-1 record. That season they also gave up over 500 points on defense.
“Miracle at the Meadowlands”
In 1976, the club relocated to Giants Stadium at the Meadowlands, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. But that move didn’t change their luck: in 1978’s “Miracle at the Meadowlands,” the Giants ran the ball against the arch-rival Philadelphia Eagles, but fumbled and caused a Herman Edwards touchdown. Indeed, from 1973 to 1979, the club won only 23 games.
Back to the Playoffs
However, it was in 1979 that the team drafted quarterback Phil Simms, and two years later they selected linebacker Lawrence Taylor. In addition to winning the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, Taylor helped the club advance to the playoffs for the first time since 1963.
Super Bowl XXI
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It wasn’t until 1986 that the Giants charged back into the playoffs with a 14–2 record. Led by head coach Bill Parcells, tight end Mark Bavaro, running back Joe Morris, and MVP Simms, they steamrolled over the 49ers and the Redskins before beating the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. This was the club’s first championship since 1956, and its first Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XXV
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Then, in 1990, the Giants went 13-3, gave up only 14 turnovers and again defeated the 49ers before topping the Buffalo Bills 20-19 in Super Bowl XXV. Parcells subsequently resigned as head coach, and the team crumpled after that.
Eli Manning
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In 2004, the Giants traded for the top pick and selected Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning, who was the son of former NFL great Archie and the brother of Peyton. Manning was instrumental in 2007 when the team shocked the undefeated New England Patriots by handing them a 17-14 loss in Super Bowl XLII. Special credit was given to the “Manning to Tyree” pass, which the receiver caught with his helmet. Co-owner John Mara described this as “the greatest victory in the history of the franchise, without question.”
Super Bowl XLVI
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In 2011, the Giants once again surprised fans and critics by making it to Super Bowl XLVI.
Legacy
With all their NFL titles, the Giants rank third among franchises, after the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. Because of this, and the team’s history of Hall of Fame players, the New York Football Giants remain one of the greatest franchises of all-time.
