LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The Super Bowl victory Sunday night was the fourth for the Giants. The team had also defeated the Patriots 17-14 in the 2008 title game.

New England fans were very disappointed that their team didn't make amends for the 2008 loss. Giants supporters, on the other hand are gearing up for a celebration

The Empire State Building was bathed in Giants blue earlier today. New York City will conduct a public giveaway for 250 winners for a post-parade ceremony on Tuesday at City Hall Plaza where the team will be given keys to the city.

"After nearly missing the playoffs, the Giants have made history by becoming the first NFL team to win the Super Bowl after going 9-7 in the regular season," New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said. "I look forward to celebrating this victory with all New Yorkers."

Giants quarterback Eli Manning, the MVP award winner, said "I just stayed positive" during the seesaw struggle. Clutching the championship trophy, Manning smiled to the flash of photographers' cameras.

Assisted by crucial late receptions by Mario Manningham, Manning marched the Giants down the field in the closing minutes of the game. The go-ahead touchdown was scored by running back Ahmad Bradshaw from 6 yards out with 52 seconds remaining.

The Patriots and Tom Brady, who was vying for his fourth championship ring, weren't done yet. They moved the ball, but had only enough time for a "Hail Mary" pass that bounced away from receivers in the end zone.

After trailing the Patriots 17-9 early in the third quarter, the Giants put up the last 12 points of the game and won 21-17.

In the final three minutes of the game, Twitter saw an average of 10,000 tweets per second, the company said.

An estimated 111 million U.S. TV viewers tuned in to watch. Many watched for the once-in-a-lifetime ads and the halftime show as for the game itself.

Rock singer Madonna morphed from a Roman Empire theme to a high school cheerleader, complete with pom poms and a marching band. She led a collection of performers through a medley that included "Vogue," "Music," "Like a Prayer" and "Give Me All Your Luvin.'"

A guest performance by artist M.I.A. generated the most of the show's buzz, with a middle finger salute, while rapping an expletive.

The episode was reminiscent of the 2004 Super Bowl when singer Janet Jackson's nipple was briefly exposed during a performance with singer Justin Timberlake.

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