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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. Dozens of boisterous football fans enjoyed an unusual mid-week celebration at Bob Hyland's Sports Page in White Plains where they watched the New York Giants host the Dallas Cowboys on opening night of the National Football League season. There was no question about the loyalty of the crowd that began gathering at 7 p.m. for the 8:30 tipoff decked out in home and away Giants jerseys. "We're here for all the Giants games," Steve Burns said. "It's gets pretty exciting when everyone is up and cheering. We've had some great overtime wins -- the place is wild at times." The Burns twins, Steve and Paul, have been Giants fans since the early 1970s and are avid Bob Hyland Sports Page fans, watching most of the games with friends each week. Sports Page owner Bob Hyland, a graduate of Archbishop Stepinac High School who went on to play for the hometown New York Giants in the early 1970s and several other NFL teams, has owened an operated thre local business for three decades. Sports Page manager Colleen Brady, who has been with the tavern for 12 years, said football season brings big crowds and busy week nights and Sunday afternoons. "We put on extra staff and we nknow there are going to be big crowds of mostly Giants fans," Brady said. "There are lots of regulars who watch the games together in groups -- friends or family. On Sunday's we have the Giants on the big TVs and other NFL games on the other screens." Paul Burns has seen his Giants grow as an NFL power since the 70s and 80s whe the team struggled to win games. "We're confident about the Giants these days," he said. "They have good ownership, good management and a good head coach. We've seen them become a real power in the league." The Sports Page was nearly filled the capacity by the time the Giantsd and Cowboys got under way. "We'll be busy running all night,"said Mike Fernandes, another Sports Page manager. "The people here are great. lots of friends and family."
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