Giants folk legend Jeff Hostetler says he won Super Bowl with torn ACL

Jeff Hostetler will forever have a special place in Giants lore.

The Giants’ backup quarterback from 1984-92, who admirably stepped up in Phil Simms’ place after Simms suffered a broken right foot in December 1990 and led the team to a Super Bowl XXV triumph, said in a new book that he was badly injured during that title run.

Hostetler revealed that he suffered a torn ACL in the 1991 NFC Championship game, when he was hit by former teammate Jim Burt early in the fourth quarter, in the book, “The Franchise: New York Giants — A Curated History of Big Blue.”

On a second-and-8 play from the Giants’ own 39-yard line with Blue Blue leading 13-9, Hostetler connected with Mark Ingram (father of former Saints star Mark Ingram Jr.) for a first down to enter San Francisco territory, but Burt slid into the Giants’ quarterback’s left knee, leaving the quarterback in excruciating pain.

Hostetler’s leg, which was planted for the throw, crumbled after being hit.

He stayed on the ground and was unable to get up at first before he eventually walked off under his own power and later returned after third-stringer Matt Cavanaugh entered the game.

The Giants’ drive was thwarted there, as Cavanaugh did not complete a pass.

Burt, who dominated parts of that game for the 49ers, had previously played for the Giants during their Super Bowl run in 1986.

He infamously knocked Joe Montana out of the 1986 NFC Divisional playoff game at Giants Stadium due to a back injury, helping them win the Super Bowl.

Hostetler miraculously returned to the game on the ensuing possession, and two field goals would be enough in a 15-13 win.

Montana was also knocked out of that game with an injury, with Steve Young getting some work in the fourth quarter.

The Giants ultimately won the Super Bowl in a legendary 20-19 upset of the Buffalo Bills, where Hostetler completed 20 of 32 attempts with a touchdown pass.