He’s right. Had the Patriots not come out on the wrong side of a 21-17 score Sunday night, the video would already be an afterthought.
And remember, DeOssie has never denied his Giants allegiance. His son, Zak, is the Giants’ fourth-year long snapper, a position Steve played for the Giants from 1989-93. When the Patriots and Giants met in Super Bowl XLII, Zak’s rookie year, his father was open about pulling for New York.
But the problem for DeOssie, the reason he will be viewed by Patriots fans with an arched eyebrow for the time being, is that he was … well, a bit over the top in the video.
“You know what, even if my son wasn’t playing on the Giants, I would pick the Giants, because they’re the better team, they deserve the game,’’ DeOssie tells the crowd.
The video lasts roughly a minute and a half. DeOssie continues:
“I just came from doing the [Patriots] pregame show, and we’ve got five guys, and they’re talking about how great this is and how great that is and [Rob] Gronkowski and [Aaron] Hernandez and [Wes] Welker. And I appreciate that. I know you have some great receivers and you have a great quarterback. But how hard is it when you’ve got JPP [Jason Pierre-Paul], Osi [Umenyiora], [Justin] Tuck up in your face.’’
The approving roar arrives on cue.
“I feel like I’ve come home here,’’ DeOssie tells the amped-up crowd. “I’m a Giant in my heart, I’m so glad my son’s a New York Giant. I struggle sometimes up in New England, but I know I’ve got a home in New York. I love you guys.’’
Damning? Hardly. Damaging to how he’s perceived in New England and to his credibility as an analyst? Maybe, though it shouldn’t be.
DeOssie said yesterday he doesn’t regret his participation in the rally, but wishes that he’d chosen a few words differently.
