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Mara family ready to lend a helping hand again; Peter Schrager / FOXSports.com
Topic Started: Sep 5 2005, 09:43 PM (14 Views)
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In times such as these, it's hard to casually joke around and write about sports. Considering I'm paid to do just that, this creates a minor problem.

Sure, I'd love to write a 3,500-word essay on the biological reasons behind Rutgers' loss this weekend, can probably put together a nice little piece on possible alternative career options for Freddie Mitchell, and would enjoy penning a little farewell to the hoax that is "Boise State football."

And I will in due time.

Just not now. Just not yet.

Instead, I'd like to go back to New York City, 1930.

With the Great Depression ravaging the Big Apple, employment numbers, finances, and overall morale were at an all-time low. The GNP had fallen 9.4 percent from the year before, and the unemployment rate had climbed from 3.2 to 8.7 percent. The street corners of New York City were crowded with apple-sellers. Nearly 6,000 unemployed individuals worked at stands selling apples for five cents apiece. Broke, penniless, and without jobs, New York City natives — once some of the nation's wealthiest homeowners — were suddenly living meal to meal. In 1925, Manhattan was the cosmopolitan center of our country. In 1930, it was a virtual wasteland.

Tim Mara, the original owner of the New York Giants, felt blessed to own a professional sports franchise. Having purchased the Giants for only $500 in 1925, Mara took great pride in his squad. As portrayed in Jerry Izenberg's New York Giants, 75 years, "Mara was as New York as a subway platform at rush hour." A New Yorker through and through, the owner felt as though he had to do something for his city in need.

His time would come.


Giants vs. ... Notre Dame?
Notre Dame was arguably the most popular sports team in the country. By December of 1930, the Irish had won 20 straight contests, were a few years removed from the "Four Horsemen" teams of the 1920s, and were widely considered "America's Team." Knute Rockne was more than a sports hero — he was a national icon, an inspiration to thousands. He was the most recognizable face from the most beloved sports team in the country. Notre Dame was football in the 1920s and 30s.

The Giants, on the other hand, were a five-year-old franchise in the fledging National Football League. League-wide attendance numbers were low, and interest level was even lower. The Depression began to take its toll on the young league as well. Two teams folded before the 1930 season, and only 11 squads remained.

The Giants, though, were one of the few bright spots. In 1930, the New York franchise won eight straight games, raising the eyebrows of sports fans during the Depression era. On Oct. 16, the Giants played the first Polo Grounds night football game, beating the Chicago Cardinals with Ernie Nevers 25-12. Governor Al Smith was among the 15,000 in attendance. At the time, this was a very big deal.

On Sunday, Dec. 14, Curly Lambeau's Green Bay Packers tied the Portsmouth Spartans 6-6 to clinch the league title. After a season-long race for first, the Giants had finished in second place. But Tim Mara's boys had a bigger game on their hands that afternoon. The NFL title was the last thing on their minds.

In an exhibition organized by New York City mayor Jimmy Walker, the Giants agreed to meet an All-Star team of Notre Dame graduates in the Polo Grounds on that same Sunday afternoon. It would go on to be one of the most important football games in American history.

Knute Rockne coached the Notre Dame squad, which included the Four Horsemen and several other former Notre Dame greats. To put this in perspective, imagine Dean Smith leading a squad of UNC alums vs. a CBA team today. That was Notre Dame-Giants, 1930.

Though the exhibition likely meant nothing to the Fighting Irish alums at the time, it was of great importance for the struggling NFL. In 1930, much of the American public held pro football in low regard and expected a Notre Dame blowout. The game wasn't supposed to be close. Giving Notre Dame a game would legitimize the NFL. Not getting blown out of the building was the goal.


Giants dominated the Irish
Mara's Giants, however, did more than just stay close. They wiped the floor with Notre Dame. Before a crowd of 55,000, future NFL Hall of Famer Bennie Friedman led the Giants to a pair of quick touchdowns. On the defensive end, New York completely shut down the Irish offense.

Trusted football website, www.footballresearch.com reports:

"Legend has it that Rockne went over to the Giants' dressing room at halftime and begged the pros to take it easy on his boys in the second half. Even though most of the New York regulars sat out the second half, the final score was a one-sided 22-0."

Tim Mara collected a whopping $115,153 at the gate that day.

With the NFL going through terrible economic times and his own franchise barely staying afloat, Mara could have easily put the money toward the NFL or his Giants. He could have brought in some new players, fixed up the field, or decorated his home.

He didn't.

In a move especially poignant today, Tim Mara took that $115,153 and handed it directly over to the New York City Unemployment Fund. Every last cent went to his fellow New Yorkers in need. For Mara, the real world transcended football. The greater whole took priority over the individual. Tim Mara's life was New York, and it was time to give back. The Giants were on the front pages of newspapers coast to coast, and buzz about the NFL was at last audible. That was enough of a prize. Mara gave all the money to help those selling apples on the street. Was he crazy? No.

It was just the right thing to do.


The giving spirit continues
75 years later, Tim Mara's son Wellington is the 89-year-old co-owner of the New York Giants. Tim's grandson John serves as the team's Chief Operating Officer. During Week 2 of the NFL season, the New Orleans Saints will be playing their "home" opener in New York at Giants Stadium vs. the Giants. With the Superdome out of service, the Saints will come up to East Rutherford, N.J., instead.

Rest assured, both the Saints and the Giants will be treated like home teams that day. John Mara came out Friday and assured the country that portions of the game's proceeds would go directly to a Hurricane Katrina relief fund. In a statement to the press, he added, "We think the league's decision to move our game with the Saints to Giants Stadium will allow us an even greater opportunity to contribute."

Like his grandfather 75 years before him, John Mara recognizes those in great need. In 1930, it was the Great Depression. In 2005, it's Hurricane Katrina. 75 years have passed, but one thing's never changed: A Mara's doing whatever he can to help.

It's nice to see some things run in the family.

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