John Mara

GLENDALE, Ariz. — John Mara felt awkward representing the New York Giants on media day at the Super Bowl.

Carrying the title of president and chief executive officer, Mara runs the day-to-day operations of one of the NFL's oldest franchises (1925).

However, say the name Mara in NFL circles, and there's only one — Wellington Mara.

The longtime owner died at the age of 89 on Oct. 25, 2005. This is the team's first trip to the Super Bowl since his death and that of co-owner Bob Tisch less than a month later.

"It's bittersweet," John Mara said. "I would have loved to have had both of them here. I would have loved to have had him (Wellington) standing here instead of me. I think he certainly would have enjoyed this. Both would have enjoyed this."

One of the first congratulatory telephone calls that Mara received after New York beat Green Bay in the NFC title game was from Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, who will play against Mara's Giants in Sunday's Super Bowl.

Kraft telephoned Wellington Mara many times for advice after buying the Patriots.

But that's what made the elder Mara stand out. He was the league's patriarch, a man who was willing for more than 40 years to split the millions in television revenues he could have made in the nation's largest market with the Green Bays of the league.

The younger Mara said that this might have been one of his father's favorite teams. It has overcome the adversity of an 0-2 start, won a record 10 games on the road and then pulled off three upsets in the playoffs.

"He would have loved this. Are you kidding?" John Mara said. "All of those tough, close games we won on the road, he would have absolutely loved this, and the way the offensive line played, that was his favorite unit."

The elder Mara also would have taken a lot of pride in the Giants' new hierarchy.

The sons of Wellington Mara carry mementos from their father: John Mara wears his 1956 championship ring. Chris Mara uses the binoculars he used for 30 years. Frank Mara wears his gold Rolex watch.

"He would have loved every minute of it," Chris said.