Fan First

The New York “Football” Giants, as they are affectionately known by their loyal fans, are one of the most successful franchises in history of the National Football League. A die hard Giants fan remembers the “greatest game ever played,” the 1958 NFL Championship (pre-Super Bowl era), even though they were on the losing end at Yankee Stadium that day. It’s the pride in knowing that your team was part of the turning point in the popularity of pro football in this country. Likewise, Giants fans cannot forget their eight championships, four before the Super Bowl era and four after. Their battles in the NFC East Division, featuring rivalries with the Eagles, Cowboys, and Redskins are epic. The iconic names to wear the classic Giants uniform include Frank Gifford, Y.A. Tittle, Phil Simms, and modern day players such as Michael Strahan and Eli Manning. Certainly, no fan of the G-Men can overlook the success and legendary demeanor of Bill Parcells and Tom Coughlin roaming the sidelines and leading the team to Super Bowl victories.

Kerry Bretti, 24 of Katonah, NY is one of the most avid fans of Big Blue. Her appetite for Giants football is second to none. She makes sure each Sunday to be front and center to watch her beloved gridiron favorites.

“It’s pretty random that I am a Giants fan because my dad is an Oakland Raiders fan, my mom grew up in Miami and is a Dolphins fan, and both of my siblings are Philadelphia Eagles fans because my uncle is a die-hard Philly fanatic. In 8th grade, I started taking stats on the sidelines for our high school football team, and I really got into the sport. A lot of them would talk about the Giants so I started watching the Giants on Sundays too, and that was the end of it.”

“I love that the Jets also used to play their home games in Giants Stadium. I still think they should have kept the name moving to the new stadium but I love MetLife. Every year, my Dad picks one home game, and we rent a big party bus and tailgate. It is without a doubt one of the most fun days of the year. When you’re at MetLife and you’re in blue, you’re family.”

“I never got the chance to see Phil Simms or Lawrence Taylor play because I started watching football so late but I would have loved to. These are both pretty cliché, but I love Eli Manning and loved Justin Tuck. I like Eli because he is super low key. He is a stand-up guy and is very respectable. He definitely has his bad games but when he’s hot he’s hot. He has some incredible passes on his resume. I like Justin Tuck because of his personality. He bleeds blue and all things New York like I do. I also enjoyed watching him because there is something to be said for a great athlete on the defensive end. I played defense when I played lacrosse in college and I think it’s just a respect thing. Justin Tuck is also a monster.”

Photo: Bretti (far right) on the field at MetLife Stadium for a Giants game with friends (left to right) Julianne Flood Brevi, Taylor Reh and Liz Beville.

The Championships, Wimbledon is in full force on both the gentlemen and ladies sides of the draw. Are you having your breakfast with Wimbledon? Big matches today feature: Andy Murray ( #2, men), Garbiñe Muguruza ( #2, ladies), Richard Gasket ( #7, men) and the Williams in the ladies' doubles first round.

Photo: Andy Lee, Wikimedia Commons

Sports analytics, starting with SABR Metrics (baseball), has been on the rise over the last two decades. This academic program will be sure to send many into a budding field of sports data.

Syracuse mainstreams 'Moneyball' with sports analytics major This fall's freshman class can earn a degree in sports analytics by spring of 2020.

After two previous last place seasons, the Red Sox are looking to return to their winning ways in 2016, and are currently in second place in the American League East Division. Jillian Barker, 28, of South Boston has been a lifelong Red Sox fan and shares her love for Boston baseball.

“I'm a Red Sox fan because my dad is a diehard Sox fan.” Having been born and raised in the Albany, NY region she says “This was definitely an unusual thing growing up in Yankee Territory, and I was one of the only Sox fans in my grade. Luckily, I didn't have to wait as long as others to finally see some Red Sox success.”

Though she was lucky enough to be at Fenway when the Red Sox won the ALCS in 2013, her favorite memory was Game 4 of the ALCS in 2004. “The 2003 post season was brutal (losing to the Yankees) and it looked like 2004 would be the same facing New York again. With a tie in the ninth, the game was forced into extra innings. Manny Ramirez singled and then David Ortiz hit a walk off 2-run home run. For so many years the Red Sox had choked during the most important moments. But finally, you could see a turning point.” That year, the Red Sox went on to win the World Series for the first time since 1918.

Pictured below: Barker (center right), attends a Red Sox game at Fenway Park with sister Kelley (far left), friends Tess Milliken (center left), and Jen Peck (far right).

Ever want customize your favorite player or team's t-shirt or jersey?

Nancy Austin, Deputy Director of Military Programs at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications (Syracuse University), demonstrates some of the creative ways to personalize sports gear.

Srosh Anwar, writer for FAN F1RST, models the shirt beforehand and Austin is shown during the beginning stages of the customization. Stay tuned for the results!