New York Giants matriarch Ann Mara dies at 85
She was not on the list.
Ann Mara, the matriarch of the NFL's New York Giants for the
past 60 years, died Sunday. She was 85.
Giants co-owner John Mara announced his mother's death on
Super Bowl Sunday. Ann Mara slipped in front of her home in Rye, New York,
during an ice storm two weeks ago and was hospitalized with a head injury the
following day. While there were initial hopes for recovery, John Mara said,
complications developed and she died early Sunday surrounded by her family.
Ann Mara and her children owned 50 percent of the Giants,
one of the founding families of the league, since the death of her husband,
Hall of Famer Wellington Mara, in 2005. While she was not active in daily
operations, her opinion was valued greatly.
''Mrs. Mara was a tower of strength, dignity and inspiration
for her family and all of us in the NFL,'' Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a
statement. ''Her family and the Giants organization have always reflected Mrs.
Mara's competitive spirit, integrity, and wonderful sense of humor. Our
thoughts and prayers are with John Mara and the entire Mara family.''
The NFL held a moment of silence for Ann Mara minutes before
the coin toss at the Super Bowl.
Ann Mara was a prominent philanthropist who supported
educational organizations. Mara also helped children with cancer through the
Ronald McDonald House of New York. In November, she dedicated the opening of a
new building for the San Miguel Academy for children at risk, which was built
through the NFL Snowflake Foundation.
Three days before MetLife Stadium - the home of the Giants
and Jets - was the site of the Super Bowl last year, Ann Mara received the Paul
J. Tagliabue Award of Excellence. It is presented to a league or team executive
who demonstrates the integrity and leadership that he exhibited in career
development opportunities for minority candidates and advocacy for diversity on
the league and club level when he was NFL commissioner.
''She has been the leader of our family in every way, and we
will miss her dearly,'' John Mara said.
Married to Wellington Mara in 1954 after a chance meeting in
a Roman Catholic church, Ann Mara attended almost every Giants home and away
game. She was a fierce defender of the team.
After the Giants beat the San Francisco 49ers in the 2011
NFC Championship game en route to their fourth Super Bowl title, she approached
Fox broadcaster and Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw, poking his arm to
get his attention.
''You never pick the Giants,'' Ann Mara said.
Bradshaw turned toward the camera and said, ''I know. I
know. I'm sorry. I'm getting hammered for not picking the Giants.''
Ann Mara, sometimes referred to as ''The First Lady of
Football,'' also let her sons know how she felt. Three of them work in the
Giants' front office. Along with John, Chris is the senior vice president of
player evaluation and Frank is the vice president of community relations.
She used to like to remind John Mara that ''you're an
employee.'''
Born Ann Mumm in New York City on June 18, 1929, Mara is
survived by 11 children, 43 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. One of
her grandchildren, Chris' daughter Rooney Mara, was nominated for an Oscar for
best actress for ''The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo'' in 2012.
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