Tom Coughlin inspired the Giants by leading an emotional team meeting the night before the team's Super Bowl XLVI meeting with the New England Patriots.
Coughlin showed a five-minute video of Giants season highlights, with heavy emphasis on the current five-game winning streak (two regular season three in the playoffs), as well as the Giants' triumph over the Patriots in New England on Nov. 6. The video was accompanied by Phil Collins' song, "In the Air Tonight."
The veteran coach then addressed the team for approximately six minutes. He again discussed his season-long theme of "finish," the phrase he introduced the first day of training camp in July.
Coughlin told the players how proud he is of the team, particularly how they stuck together during rough stretches of the season. He said the team's motto – "believe" – has inspired millions of people around the world.
Four years and two days after winning his first Super Bowl, Coughlin talked about how when you win the game, you first you look for a teammate to hug to share that feeling with. Then you look up into the stands for your wife and parents because they are all world champions.
Finally, Coughlin talked about how championships are won by teams who love one another – just as these Giants do - and how he loves this team. Coughlin he segued into talking about their love for one another and his love for them by referencing a subject never far from his thoughts, the late Coach John Wooden's Pyramid of Success. Coach Wooden originally placed "Competitive Greatness" at the top of the pyramid. But later in his life, he said the word "Love." should be at the top.
Coughlin has long been inspired by Wooden, the legendary former UCLA coach.
*The Giants' inactive players for the Super Bowl are linebacker Mark Herzlich, wide receiver Ramses Barden, running back Da'Rel Scott, offensive linemen Jim Cordle and James Brewer and defensive linemen Jimmy Kennedy and Justin Trattou.
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