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Watching, Waiting: Giants Fan Savors Latest Title

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By JOEY JOHNSTON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 9, 2008

When the New York Giants upset the Buffalo Bills 20-19 to capture Super Bowl XXV on Jan. 27, 1991, at Tampa Stadium, Kay-Jay Harris was there.

"Selling Cokes for the Boys and Girls Club," he said.

Harris was 12.

He remembers the dominance of Ottis Anderson. In his mind, he can still see Scott Norwood's 47-yard field goal attempt floating wide right. And at that moment, as the Giants celebrated below, Harris wished he could be part of it someday.

The Giants won another championship last Sunday, stunning the New England Patriots 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII at Glendale, Ariz.

This time, Harris had a better view.

He didn't just watch the celebration.

He was part of it.

Harris, the former Tampa Bay Tech and West Virginia player, spent the last two months as a practice-squad running back for the Giants. He was part of the organization in every way - except playing in the games.

The competitive side of Harris wanted to see some action. The realistic side sent mental reminders, almost daily, that his time would come one day.

"Earnest Graham, Ryan Grant ... you see examples every day," said Harris, who already has signed a contract with the Giants for next season. "I believe it's going to happen for me. I just have to be patient."

For now, Harris will take consolation in his $78,000 Super Bowl winners' share and the championship ring that will follow.

He'll also have enduring memories from the sideline.

"Right after that touchdown to Randy Moss that put New England ahead 14-10, I looked at Michael Strahan and said, 'I think the final score is going to be 17-14, Giants,' Harris said. "Then Strahan says, 'I know the final score is going to be 17-14, Giants.'

"He's walking up and down the sideline on the final drive, telling everybody, 'Don't worry, fellas. Giants win. Giants win.' Everything was in slow motion, when Eli Manning threw that incredible pass to David Tyree. I'll never forget any of that."

Nor will Harris forget Tuesday's ticker-tape parade through lower Manhattan, through the "Canyon of Heroes."

"It made you realize just how much a championship team can affect people," Harris said. "They said there was like a million people out there. We saw them lining every sidewalk, hanging out of buildings, whatever. I don't think anybody worked that day.

"We're feeling that love, believe me. The party has not stopped. Everybody on the team was getting invited to every restaurant in town, on the house, every party and night club you could think of. Nobody got much sleep, I can tell you that. I think I've been waiting all my life to experience something like that."

Harris, a 6-foot-1, 240-pounder, is accustomed to waiting.

He disdained football out of high school, choosing to sign a baseball contract after being selected in the ninth round by the Texas Rangers. For nearly four seasons, he toiled in the minor leagues (for teams such as the Savannah Sand Gnats) before realizing his future was really in football.

After two seasons at Garden State Community College in Kansas, Harris emerged at West Virginia, where he rushed for 959 yards and 10 touchdowns, including a 131-yard effort against Florida State at the Gator Bowl. Harris' 337 yards rushing against East Carolina in the 2004 opener still stands as a Mountaineer single-game record.

And he did it all with an injured hamstring.

Entering the NFL draft at age 26, he wasn't selected, but he signed as a free agent with the Miami Dolphins. Then he followed his old offensive coordinator, Scott Linehan, to the St. Louis Rams when Linehan became head coach. The fit, it seemed, was perfect for Harris.

Until he was released by the Rams.

"I think I'm in a great situation now," Harris said. "Like they say, one man's trash is another man's glory. I know the Giants want me. Jerry Reese New York's general manager says he has big plans for me.

"I know this. After getting a taste of it, I'd sure like to go back to another Super Bowl."

Next season's Super Bowl XLIII, it should be noted, will be held in Tampa.

"I know," Harris said. "I know."

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353 or jjohnston@tampatrib.com.

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