EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Former Syracuse wide receiver and New York Giants Super Bowl hero David Tyree gave a complete endorsement of head coach Doug Marrone shortly before the Orange’s game against USC at MetLife Stadium.
Tyree was on hand as to participate in the coin toss of the New York College Classic.
“I think we have the right guy (in Marrone),” Tyree said. “When you’re in a place like Syracuse, you need have to have someone who is more emotionally invested in the success of the program.”
Tyree was comparing Marrone versus former coach Greg Robinson. While Marrone played as an offensive lineman at Syracuse, Robinson had no affiliation with the University previously.
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With someone in the Orange family leading the program, Tyree believes that SU is headed in the right direction.
“Obviously we got set back a few years with the Robinson era, but we’re happy to have Marrone in,” Tyree said. “He got us back to a bowl (game), and we’re looking forward to piggybacking on that momentum.”
While many Syracuse fans were upset that the Orange played USC in New Jersey and called it a “home” game, Tyree said that playing the game at MetLife Stadium was good for recruiting and raising the profile of the program.
“This is the only BCS school in the state of New York,” Tyree said. “This gives us the platform the school really needs.”
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Tyree played for SU from 1999-02 and finished his career with 75 receptions for 1,214 yards. He went on to play seven seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens.
He is best known for his catch in Super Bowl XLII, pinning the ball against his helmet to set up the Giants’ game winning score, and upset of the previously undefeated New England Patriots.
Tyree still thinks fondly of the memory.
“The catch is something that is cemented a measure of football lore and things that go along with Super Bowl history,” Tyree said. “Being a guy that was so far off the radar coming out of college, through my career, to be able to have one moment that goes far beyond yourself, it humbles me and causes me to have a lot of joy. To link that to Syracuse means a lot as well.”
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