NFL Network will chronicle the incredible life of late New York Giants owner Wellington Mara with “The Duke: The Giant Life of Wellington Mara” on Friday, October 25 at 8:00 p.m. EDT.
Based on the trailer, it’s not only a must-watch for Giant fans but for NFL fans as well.
He never played a down of football, but Wellington Mara built the Giants and the NFL into what they are today.
Strahan, Manning, Simms, Coughlin & Barber tell the story of a Football Patriarch in "THE DUKE – The Giant Life of Wellington Mara"
📺: 10/25 on @NFLNetwork #Giants100 pic.twitter.com/me93N8YDko
— New York Giants (@Giants) October 16, 2024
From NFL Network:
The one-hour show examines Mara’s 80 years in the NFL, showcasing the decisive role he played in shaping the Giants and the NFL into the flagship institutions they are today.
Mara was a pioneer of scouting, worked with Vince Lombardi to bring Polaroids to the NFL for in-game adjustments, discovered Tom Landry, Emlen Tunnell and Frank Gifford, shaped the NFL’s business model by sharing television revenues with the rest of the league, and was the kingmaker who made Pete Rozelle commissioner.
Throughout his entire football tenure, Mara developed close and lasting relationships through his philosophy of “Once a Giant, Always a Giant.”
Mara was more than just the owner of a football team. He was a curator of a public trust; a steward who cared for the sport and its business but mostly, he loved the Giant fans.
Mara would often refer to the fans as “customers” and would take the time to personally respond to letters sent in by the Big Blue faithful.
Very few had a cross word about Mara, even after he made the decision to yank his team out of New York for the barren confines of The Meadowlands. Many knew he had no choice with New York City in the throes of financial default and social decline.
Provided below are select quotes from “The Duke.”
- “He’s one of the patriarchs. There’s only about four or five of them – he’s one of them.” – Bill Parcells
- “He was like the Forrest Gump of the NFL. It seemed like whenever something major happened in the league, he was a part of it.” – Michael Strahan
- “He was a Giant in more ways than one. He saw the entire development of the league.” – Roger Goodell
- “[Pete Rozelle] was a young general manager of the Rams who had not done anything to distinguish himself. Wellington Mara saw something in him.” – Ernie Accorsi
- “You can’t drive until you’re 17 years old and he was running a football team.” – Eli Manning
- “The Giants were in the 50s the cradle of coaches. Two of the greatest coaches of all-time: Tom Landry and Vince Lombardi.” – Peter King
- “He was always there to cheer me on and help me up.” – Lawrence Taylor
