When the Las Angeles Rams take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI, there will be a distinct New York Giants feel.
On Cincy’s side, cornerback Eli Apple and defensive lineman B.J. Hill have been showing out. On their shoulders, the Bengals have reached their first-ever Super Bowl.
Across the field will be the Rams and superstar wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., whose career revitalization has been on full display. And his dream of winning a championship ring is just 60 minutes away.
For many current and former members of the Giants, that creates a rooting conundrum. On one hand, they’d very much like to see Hill win a title. On the other hand, many feel OBJ is the most deserving of all.
“Excited for him, man,” cornerback Prince Amukamara told the New York Post. “The thing with Odell is that he knew he still had a lot of ball left in him. I knew, most people knew. But, if we’re being real, his going from team to team and then the performance not being there, you kind of ask ‘Dang, is this it for Odell?’ And I’m sure Odell doesn’t want to just be known for ‘the catch,’ even though that’s not a bad thing to be known for. But to have ‘Super Bowl champion’ next to your name, it’s awesome. I’m sure excited for him.”
And Amukamara isn’t the only former Giant cheering on OBJ.
“I think he’s one of the guys that’s misunderstood in this league,” offensive lineman Justin Pugh said. “Definitely cheering for him this Sunday.”
Even defensive lineman Mathias Kiwanuka, who played for just one season alongside Beckham, is pleased to see how things are playing out.
“The lesson is that not everybody who appears to be divisive or not a team player is actually that way,” Kiwanuka said. “When I played with him he was young and you could say some of the things he did were immature but he’s grown a lot. I applaud him for being headstrong and figuring out a way to get himself and his family in the best situation possible.”
Winning the Super Bowl would be redemption for Beckham, who insists he’s not basking in the glory of proving so many people wrong. However he got to L.A. is irrelevant — he’s there now and one step away from fulfilling a life-long dream.
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