Go Big Blue

Hours after the New York Giants beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the NFC Playoffs, I can't help but believe that my dear friend Bernard Spigner is peering down from Heaven with a smile and a wink. Spigner, the former Communications Director for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, died of pancreatic cancer last year. It was a short and shocking descent from diagnosis to death, leaving his wife, Debbie, and their son too early.

He was widely known for his long radio career and his tireless efforts on behalf of the Garden State. And while the lifelong Jets fan would certain have rather have had the green-and-white fighting to get into the second round of the playoffs, he’d have been almost as happy that the other team that plays in the Meadowlands won, he’d have reignited one of his favorite pet peeves. "Tell me, Mr. Chmiel," he’d say in that made-for-radio voice of his, "Why we can’t have even a cordial discussion about getting the two professional football teams here in New Jersey to drop the ‘New York’ from their monikers?"

Bernard loved his home state and was unapologetic in his pursuit for giving props to the Garden State. He was a visible and vocal presence in the push for the revamped New Jersey Hall of Fame and never stopped fighting to get state residents to show more pride in their home state. If the Giants can beat the dread Cowboys next week to continue their march to the Super Bowl (Hey, stranger things have happened. Here’s hoping the Jessica Simpson curse can keep ‘Boys quarterback Tony Romo playing like an extra in The Dukes of Hazzard II: The ’70s Will Never Die), we can all be sure that Bernard is working his powers of persuasion on the behalf of our friends who make their home next to Route 3 West. We appreciate any pull you’ve got, pal.

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