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Vinny Testaverde, Amani Toomer Stoke Jets-Giants Rivalry at Bryant Park

By DNAinfo Staff on August 17, 2012 8:21am

BRYANT PARK — Former Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde joined former Giants receiver Amani Toomer at Bryant Park Thursday to unveil a new statue for Metlife Stadium, prior to the teams' preseason matchup this weekend.

The event — which debuted an 8-foot bronze Snoopy statue to be placed at the teams' shared stadium — gave the former gridiron stars the chance to trade good-natured barbs and visit with young fans in advance of the intercity rivals' game Saturday in New Jersey.

"We know which team goes home with the trophy," said Toomer, after Testaverde quipped that the Jets would win the preseason game, also known as the "Metlife Bowl."

Cheerleaders from the Jets "Flight Crew" kicked-off the ceremony in front of the Metlife building at West 42nd Street and Sixthth Avenue, as both Gang Green and Big Blue fans crowded around the new statue, which will stand at the stadium's west gate.

Debra Rizzi came to the ceremony with her daughter, Mia, 8, decked out in Jets gear. Mia got the chance to meet Testaverde, but Rizzi said the rivalry didn't mean much to her daughter, a gymnastics fan.

"Today we said that Vinny was the Nastia Liukin of football," said Rizzi of the gold medalist gymnast.