Homages are currently everywhere for Ozzy Osbourne, who died at age 76 on Tuesday. One cannot look online without finding a meaningful tribute to the Prince of Darkness. That is how it should be.
The New York Giants didn't exactly put out a long post about Ozzy, but they didn't need to. The team did something better. Music is often blared over speakers at team practice facilities, and that has been the case for a number of years. The Giants decided to take on current events, though.
During warm-ups and extremely light drills, whoever was working the music for the Giants chose to play an iconic gem from the legendary singer. Any other song could have been selected, including not playing Ozzy at all. Instead of taking the sad route and blasting "Mama, I'm Coming Home," though, the Giants DJ played "Crazy Train."
The New York Giants (and New England Patriots) pay homage to Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy was no stranger to the NFL. He was much more a fan of soccer, but he wasn't unaware of the NFL. He sang "Crazy Train" before a New England Patriots game in 2005. He played during halftime of the Los Angeles Rams' season opener in 2022.
The Patriots did post a farewell to Ozzy on social media, and they should have. They had played "Crazy Train" before games for two decades. There is no reason for them to stop now.
But watching the New York Giants, a team that has defeated the Patriots twice in the Super Bowl, jam out to Ozzy's icon tune is more bittersweet. It's an excellent track, and one easily used to energize players and fans. The song might be among the best ever written that can do that.
Giants DJ spinning it to begin camp
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) July 23, 2025
Ace Frehley’s NY Groove followed Ozzy’s Crazy Train. RIP. pic.twitter.com/z45Frx7vxX
There was no dancing at Giants camp, though. That would have been out of place. The players are there to do a job, after all. Of course, what makes the clip above more fun is that the Giants are stealing an idea from the New England Patriots.
The two teams aren't very good right now, and they play in different conferences, but perhaps there could be a future rivalry. One that has a small connection in the music of Ozzy Osbourne.