Unless you have been stuck in a coup in Central Africa or you’re one of those snippy “I refuse to pay attention to anything that has to do with sports” types, then you most certainly heard about The Greatest Super Bowl Ever. (Not to mention the most watched.)

As an obsessive, die-hard, fanatic of the New York Giants – a third generation fan reared on stories of Fran Tarkenton and Rosie Grier and weaned on the greatness of Lawrence Taylor, Phil Simms and Harry Carson – I would be remiss not to celebrate the historic achievement of my Big Blue.

That’s the banner on the Giants’ website, and it really says everything needed to be said. The much derided Eli Manning, a triumphant MVP. The outstanding 15 year vet, Michael Strahan, finally emerges as a champion. The city of New York is once again home to a champion.

You would think that a championship in New York would bring scorn and derision, but in reality it’s completely the opposite. Every fan I’ve come across (save for those from New England… and on the bandwagon), from casual to fanatic, has offered me heartfelt congratulations with the caveat, “I was really rooting hard for you guys.” And this feeling wasn’t just a fan sentiment, lots of players wanted to see New England lose. Osi Umenyiora, who missed the parade yesterday because he was the lone Giant going to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl, said that the sentiment he’s gotten from fellow pro-bowlers is that nobody wanted the Pats to win. It’s understandable, given the arrogance that organization and its fans have exuded for the last 6 months.

But enough about the team that lost! The Giants are world champions! They pulled off one of the most magnificent runs – beating two #1 seeds, a #2, and a #4… all on the road – to do it. The Super Bowl itself was magnificent, as Peter King says, “It was a reminder of why we are fans.”