Thank you, 85

(Crying tears of joy while everyone at work stares at me like I'm some sort of freak)

Ok I'm good now.

By now all you Giants fans out there have heard the sad news about David Tyree being cut from the team after this year's preseason. Sadly, it was inevitable. He was out all of last year with various injuries, then tried to come back this year and make the team, only to be plagued by inconsistency and, once again, more injuries. Perhaps it's fitting then that the last catch he ever made in a Giants uniform, in the last game he ever played in a Giants uniform, was the one in the video above. And because of this, I think I speak for Giants fans everywhere when I say:

Thank you, David.

Thank you for giving us a memory that will last a lifetime. It was you who caught Eli's first touchdown pass in the 4th quarter to give us the 10-7 lead, and it was you who was on the other end of the miracle that is now considered by many to be the greatest play in Super Bowl history. We are eternally grateful to you for what you did for us on February 3, 2008, because not only did it provide us with the greatest thrill of our lives, but it provided us with a story that we'll be able to tell our children, and others, for years to come. It was the perfect end to the most improbable playoff run we'll ever see, and it would not have been possible without your heroics.

We also thank you for playing football the way the Giants are supposed to play football for as long as you were here. Ever since you entered the league in 2003, you've played with heart, you've played with passion, and most of all you've played with toughness that few players can match. We'll always remember fondly you barreling down the field at full speed on special teams, inevitably tackling the return man for no gain or negative yardage. A Pro Bowler in 2005, you were the best special teams player many had ever seen. As a wide receiver, you never amassed more than 19 catches in a season, but by not putting on your diva suit like most wide receivers do these days, you were the personification of class. The ultimate team player. And also a gentlemen. The photo here is of you graciously granting my request for an autograph and chatting with me for a second before a TV interview instead of blowing me off like most athletes would. Rest assured, I'll never forget that moment.



David, we wish you luck with wherever your future takes you. Whichever team signs you this year, and I know someone will, they will be lucky to have you. You can never have enough David Tyree's on your team, and I know at some point this year, us Giants fans will look at each other during a game and say, "David Tyree would have made that play."

Thank you, 85.