Empire State Building Lights Up in Patriots Colors, Fans Fume

New Yorkers were not happy when the Empire State Building glowed red, white, and blue to celebrate the New England Patriots' AFC Championship win. The iconic skyscraper, a symbol of New York City, lit up in the Patriots' colors, which didn't sit well with fans of the New York Jets and Giants. The Empire State Building's official X account posted a video of the building glowing in Patriots colors, along with a message congratulating the team on their victory over the Denver Broncos. The tweet read, "Santa Clara bound! Shining in @Patriots colors in honor of their AFC Championship win. " This gesture was seen as a slap in the face by many New Yorkers, especially considering the Patriots' rivalry with the Jets and Giants. Social media erupted with anger and frustration. One user wrote, "Wait, is this a joke? You are in New York! You think if the Jets won they would be lighting buildings up in green in Boston? I feel like I’m having a stroke. " Another user simply commented, "DISGRACE. " The backlash was swift and harsh, with many calling for the person responsible for the decision to be fired.This isn't the first time the Empire State Building has honored a team outside of New York. Last year, it glowed green to celebrate the Philadelphia Eagles' NFC Championship win. The official account tweeted, "I’m sorry I have to do this. Shining in @Eagles colors in honor of their NFC Championship win, " along with a video of the building lit up in green. The Empire State Building also showed support for the Seattle Seahawks, who will face the Patriots in the Super Bowl. This decision to honor teams outside of New York has left many fans questioning the building's loyalty to local teams. The Empire State Building has a history of lighting up for various events and celebrations, but this time, it seems to have hit a nerve with New Yorkers. The decision to honor the Patriots, a team with a contentious history with New York teams, has sparked a heated debate among fans.