Fresh off their Super Bowl XLVI victory in Indianapolis, members of the New York Giants were greeted Monday afternoon by hundreds of fans outside MetLife Stadium as they prepared for their upcoming hometown hero celebration in Manhattan.
The team's plane touched down just before 2 p.m. at Newark-Liberty International Airport.
More than 200 fans gathered at the stadium to show their appreciation for the players as they got off the buses and went to their personal vehicles to head home.
Giants Fans Celebrate Super Bowl Win
Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks received fans, giving out high-fives.
Some fans hoped for autographs, while others wanted a little bit more.
"I wanted a hug from Manning, of course," said one fan. "Disappointed that they didn't come out, maybe, but we'll definitely keep trying."
Still, perhaps no one was more enthusiastic than the man piloting the plane. His grandchildren are named Eli and Peyton.
"I've done the Yankees World Series, I've done a lot of charters. I used to do all of the Jets and Giants flying couple years back, but it's special—Super Bowl victory is certainly a big deal," said the pilot, Mike Bowers.
But Eli Manning wasn't on the plane. He went to Disney World.
Giants Fans Celebrate Super Bowl Win
Big Blue will be honored with a ticker-tape parade Tuesday in Manhattan after edging the Patriots 21-17 in a nail-biter of a game.
The Giants took an early lead but fell behind New England by halftime.
After the Patriots extended their lead in the third quarter, the Giants battled back.
Late in the fourth quarter Eli Manning led Big Blue on an 88-yard drive that included a 38-yard pass to Mario Manningham, who managed to keep his feet in bounds.
Several plays later, Ahmad Bradshaw ran six yards for a touchdown to put the Giants ahead for good.
The Patriots had one last shot at the ball. But with time running out, quarterback Tom Brady threw a Hail Mary into the end zone that wound up incomplete.
Manning also led the team to its upset Super Bowl victory over the Patriots in 2008.
New York Giants fans celebrate the Giants' win over the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game with a homemade trophy in Times Square, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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