Jeremy Shockey Should Be Remembered in Super Bowl Run

Do any of you remember Jeremy Shockey’s long hair spilling out of his New York helmet?

I do and he looked a lot better than he does with short hair, but that’s beside my point.

I also remember him taunting the crowd at Candlestick in 2003 when the Niners made the second-biggest comeback in NFL playoff history by defeating the arrogant Giants 39-38.

The Niners also sent the just-as-arrogant Tiki Barber packing and Barber never made it to the Super Bowl as that team was supposed to do that year. Even though Barber blew that kiss to ’Niner fans at Candlestick, it was Shockey who bugged me more.

I’ll never forget the replay of Shockey pointing to the scoreboard as the Giants went up by a lot of points. At one point in the third quarter, the Giants were ahead 38-14.

I believe this taunt angered the 49ers so much that it served as an in-game proverbial chip on their shoulder that transformed their lackluster performance into a ferocious comeback of historic proportions.

Shockey also allegedly threw ice water on some 49ers’ fans he reportedly was taunting.

I don’t think you have to be nice to play in the NFL, but at least show some class.

The fact that he was an excellent player made me even madder, but I also remember cheering as Shockey dropped a potential TD pass that would have meant the difference in the game. Instead, New York had to settle for a field goal.

That was poetic justice.

In the ESPN interview, he says he wasn’t invited to the Super Bowl parade or celebration, but it appears the Giants feel differently.

Either way, it’s a shame the way it ended for him in New York.

Why?

It’s because his heart, hard-nosed play, never-give-up attitude and 14 games with more than 600 yards receiving last year significantly factored into New York's Super Bowl run.

If a 49er fan can say that about this fearless warrior, I hope New York fans can remember Shockey as a vital part of that Super Bowl run.