ELYSBURG - The road from Route 487 to the municipal building in Elysburg will now be known as Henry Hynoski Boulevard.
Ralpho Township supervisors, on behalf of the board and all of Ralpho Township, presented Hynoski, a fullback for the New York Giants, with a plaque for his "dedication to success along with your winning performance in Super Bowl XLVI."
Supervisor Blaine Madara Sr., who once coached Hynoski in midget league football, informed Hynoski of the street name change in his honor.
Madara said he couldn't say he knew back when he was coaching Hynoski that he would be a Super Bowl champ, but he could honestly see the young man's passion and love for the game.
Madara said it's hard to believe that one man could turn die-hard Tiger, Red Tornado and Indian fans into Giants fans, "but you did it, Henry. Congratulations."
Hynoski thanked the whole community.
"It's an honor to be from Elysburg, and to be a part of this great community," he said.
Hynoski told the small crowd that he began his football career with Madara and Stu Appel, current township chief of police, as his first coaches. He said its unbelievable that they were presenting him with an award years later.
Hynoski said that throughout his career, from high school to college to the NFL, he has been fortunate to be surrounded by great people, especially from his hometown.
Hynoski said the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl were rough. He said there was a lot of anxiety and that he just wanted to get out there and play. That feeling lasted until opening kickoff, Hynoski said, and then it became a regular game. Hynoski said he felt it was his best game.
When asked what Eli Manning was like, Hynoski said he wouldn't want to be in a huddle with anyone else. "He's a good person and a great player. He leads by example."
Manning took the team out for dinner the first night in Indianapolis for the Super Bowl. They had a good comraderie on the team this year, he said.
Hynoski also discussed the parade in New York City, calling it "unbelievable." He joked that Elysburg is just as exciting, but on a smaller scale.
While visiting his hometown after the big game, Hynoski had a chance to spend time with old high school friends. They said they are living the NFL life through him.
Hynoski said he plans to take another week of rest before heading back into the gym to train on his own. Training with the Giants begins April 16, about the same time as the arrival of his Super Bowl ring, which he looks forward to receiving.
There will be more training in July.
He said although he'll be back and forth between New York City and Elysburg, his hometown is his home base.
Hynoski said he heard about the banners and ribbons placed in his honor around the Ralpho area, and it felt good to know the community was behind him. But when he came home and saw a sea of blue, he said he was amazed.
"It's a blessing to have the kind of support that the area has given me," he said.