Bush up late, calls early

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

February 5, 2008

WASHINGTON - President Bush, who stayed up past his usual bedtime to watch the end of a stirring Super Bowl, called members of the Giants' organization yesterday to offer his congratulations.

Giants co-owner John Mara, who received the call at about 7:30 a.m. in Arizona, said at first he didn't answer because he didn't recognize the incoming number.

"My cell phone keeps ringing, and there were a lot of numbers I didn't recognize, so I didn't answer. There was one that kept saying 'unknown,'" Mara said. "... I finally answered it and a voice came on and said: 'Could you hold for the president?'"

Besides Mara, Bush chatted with co-owner Steve Tisch, coach Tom Coughlin and quarterback Eli Manning in separate calls.