Bush Congratulates Bowl Champion Giants
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President Bush, who stayed up past his normal bedtime to watch the end of a stirring Super Bowl, called members of the New York Giants organization on Monday to offer his congratulations.
In separate, brief phone calls, Bush chatted with Giants co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, coach Tom Coughlin and quarterback Eli Manning.
It took a while for the president to connect with them all, but he wanted to be sure to "congratulate them on their historic victory," White House press secretary Dana Perino said.
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The Giants defeated the New England Patriots, 17-14, in what is considered one of the biggest upsets in pro football history. The Patriots were bidding for a perfect 19-0 season and came into the game as double-digit favorites. The Giants scored the winning touchdown with less than one minute to play.
Those last exciting moments kept Bush, a sports fan, tuned in until the end. The game finished just after 10 p.m., which is later than Bush normally stays up.