Jim Fassel went all-in to author his greatest Giants moment

The wins and losses are what they are. The highs — man oh man, think back on January 14, 2001 — are right there, chronicled in the media guide. So are the lows. He won more than he lost, got to a Super Bowl with an upstart team and lasted seven years in a Big Blue fish bowl that challenges all Giants head coaches to keep their heads above water.  

More than anything else Jim Fassel accomplished from the time he arrived in 1997 to his departure after the 2003 season, he succeeded magnificently in this: He got his players to play for him. The upsetting news that Fassel died Monday night at the age of 71 was a cruel wakeup call to anyone who worked for, played for, wrote about or rooted for the Giants. Some called Fassel “Gentleman Jim’’ but he was tougher than that and he gave the Giants organization all he had for as long as he was allowed to do so.