2008 Woodie Awards
The Daily OrangeFB | Super Bowl hero Tyree relishes return to Syracuse
By Matt Gelb
Posted: 4/20/08, 10:41 PM EST Section: Sports
Between the newborn twins, the Sports Illustrated cover, talk show appearances and the immortality of the catch, David Tyree's life has changed. That's easy to see.
The former Syracuse wide receiver turned Super Bowl legend made his first trip back to campus since his miraculous over-the-head catch in Super Bowl XLII more than two months ago that made Tyree and the New York Giants champions.
"It's always good to be back," Tyree said. "I really don't get a chance to come back, so each and every time it's precious. It's different."
But it's a lot more different this time, right?
"Oh yeah, yeah, yeah," Tyree said. "I never…yeah. I'll just be simple and say, yeah."
There's no official name for the catch, immortalized almost everywhere in the sports world, yet. Although, Tyree hinted one he likes (without divulging it) is on its way. His 32-yard reception over the head of New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, while falling down, kept the New York drive alive with 59 seconds left. The Giants won, 17-14.
Tyree sat in Director of Athletics Daryl Gross' suite and watched the Spring Game with his wife and four children. Before the spring scrimmage started, SU head coach Greg Robinson and the entire team saluted Tyree from the field.
Relegated to crutches after surgery for what Tyree called "offseason repairs" to his right knee ("I'll definitely be good to go for the season."), he briefly stood from the luxury box when showed on the JumboTron and shook hands with fans who reached up from the bleachers.
"It's been great," Tyree said. "It's been a nice roller coaster ride for me. I'm just enjoying it.
"I've done enough, sitting down with you guys, the media, talking about this catch," he laughed. "It's been a great moment in my life."
Tyree tries to come back to Syracuse every offseason to train with his old conditioning coach, Will Hicks. But with the injury, this was a time for Tyree to meet and great Syracuse officials, fans, and also to speak with the team.
The former Syracuse wide receiver turned Super Bowl legend made his first trip back to campus since his miraculous over-the-head catch in Super Bowl XLII more than two months ago that made Tyree and the New York Giants champions.
"It's always good to be back," Tyree said. "I really don't get a chance to come back, so each and every time it's precious. It's different."
But it's a lot more different this time, right?
"Oh yeah, yeah, yeah," Tyree said. "I never…yeah. I'll just be simple and say, yeah."
There's no official name for the catch, immortalized almost everywhere in the sports world, yet. Although, Tyree hinted one he likes (without divulging it) is on its way. His 32-yard reception over the head of New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, while falling down, kept the New York drive alive with 59 seconds left. The Giants won, 17-14.
Tyree sat in Director of Athletics Daryl Gross' suite and watched the Spring Game with his wife and four children. Before the spring scrimmage started, SU head coach Greg Robinson and the entire team saluted Tyree from the field.
Relegated to crutches after surgery for what Tyree called "offseason repairs" to his right knee ("I'll definitely be good to go for the season."), he briefly stood from the luxury box when showed on the JumboTron and shook hands with fans who reached up from the bleachers.
"It's been great," Tyree said. "It's been a nice roller coaster ride for me. I'm just enjoying it.
"I've done enough, sitting down with you guys, the media, talking about this catch," he laughed. "It's been a great moment in my life."
Tyree tries to come back to Syracuse every offseason to train with his old conditioning coach, Will Hicks. But with the injury, this was a time for Tyree to meet and great Syracuse officials, fans, and also to speak with the team.
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