Re-watch Jim Fassel's all-time great 'We're going to the playoffs' guarantee speech
The coach died on Monday at 71 years old.
Jim Fassel, the coach who led the New York Giants to Super Bowl XXXV and had a 58-53-1 record in his seven seasons with Big Blue, died on Monday according to his son John. He was 71 years old.
Fassel was named NFL Coach of the Year in 1997 after taking a 6-10 team and turning them around to a 10-5-1 squad. But it’s what he did in 2000 that stood out and was something fans of the league everywhere will remember as an all-time great moment.
After the Giants lost two in a row in mid-November and were 7-4, Fassel stood in front of the media and guaranteed the team would make the playoffs. Whether it’s in New York or anywhere else, making that kind of statement could cost you a job if you whiff on it.
But the Giants didn’t lose another game that season until the Super Bowl, when they were blown out by the Baltimore Ravens.
“You got the laser, you can put it right on my chest. I’ll take full responsibility. I’m raising the stakes right now. This is a poker game, I’m shoving my chips to the middle of the table, I’m raising the ante. Anybody wants in, get in. Anybody wants out, get out.
“This team is going to the playoffs.”
What a moment.