Community Corner

Superfan Wins 'Giant' Dream Breakfast with Eli

Giants-obsessed Jessica Greco, of Ridgewood, had breakfast with Eli Manning on Tuesday as a grand prize winner of the Dunkin Donuts contest.

You might say Jessica Greco is obsessed. Over the past few years, talk of the Big Blue is quick to roll off her tongue.

"I spend most of my time thinking, reading, or talking about them," the 25-year-old Ridgewood resident reflected.

Her fanatacism has clearly paid off, as she won a Dunkin' Donuts contest that whisked her away from work on Tuesday to East Rutherford for a breakfast with New York Giants star quarterback Eli Manning.

"My co-worker spent the entire day that I got the phone call imitating my reaction when I heard the big news!" she said, noting that she entered the contest every day on Facebook.

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Understandably nervous, she didn't quite know what to expect when she sat down with the two-time Superbowl MVP and nine other contest winners.

"It ended up being really great," she reported. "I loved how casual it was and how much time Dunkin' Donuts gave us to ask him questions and have a conversation with him – it was more than I expected!"

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The donut design contest winner who "never wins anything" also took home a life-sized cardboard cutout of #10. The collegial, warm and chatty Eli spoke about the upcoming game against the Cowboys, dodged a question about which NFC East rival is best to beat and which teammates made him laugh most (it's the offensive line, Greco said).

There was another treat on the rainy morning in the Meadowlands – Jessica was able to take a guest.

"This was a no-brainer for me!" she exclaimed. "My dad was always the Giants fan in the house when I was growing up. Football and the Giants is truly something that we've been able to bond over. He's my favorite person to watch games with, go to games with, and talk about the Giants with."

There might have also been another, decidedly more veiled reason.

"He's one of the only people who never laughs at my obsession, only encourages my passion and dedication to my team!" Greco said. "I know how happy this made him, and that's one of the best feelings ever."

For someone who sleeps, eats and breathes Giants football, it would be fair to say this was the best breakfast ever.

"I walked away knowing that I would remember the day forever," Greco said.

Have a question or news tip? Contact editor James Kleimann at James.Kleimann@patch.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox every morning, sign up for our daily newsletter.


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