Giants second-year tackle Justin Pugh on his childhood friends who remain Eagles fans to the core.“They try to live up to he stereotype of Philly fans, they’re all bad ass in the stands.” Pugh laughed. “They think ’cause a guy threw a battery out of the stands 20 years ago it make them tough too. It is is the mantra of the Philadelphia attitude. I was the same way…luckily I was saved by the New York Giants.”

Giants offensive tackle Justin Pugh grew up in Bucks PA, played football at Council Rock-South High School and attended Eagles games at Veterans Stadium and later at Lincoln Financial Field.

That is all behind him now.

Last year, as a rookie starter, Pugh thought of the game against the Eagles as a bit of a pilgrimage back home. You know, the whole “dream come true” thing.

“I think last year was more of a ‘first time playing there as a professional and having all my family and friends there, it was pretty cool,” said Pugh, who is listed at 6-foot-4, 301 pounds. “This years it’s we’re going down there to get a win…I mean that’s point blank. I’m over the ‘I’m going home thing. It’s going to be fun to see people but we’re going down there to try and get in first place and win a big divisional game.”

Pugh said his family is aware that he is a pro and it is his J-O-B now and they need to step back a little bit.

“My family knows (now) what goes on,” Pugh said. “I am really trying to focus on this. If anyone wants tickets they go to my Mom. My Mom then texts me a number that I need for the week so I don’t deal with a bunch of outside people asking about tickets or about the game.”

Pugh said his Mom has been busy with texts as the ticket demand is high for when the Giants square off against the Eagles in an early but crucial NFC battle on  “Sunday Night Football” this week on NBC at 8:30 PM.

Pugh said he can’t talk about his games outside the practice field or locker room, especially being so close to Philadelphia, arguably the Giants biggest rival.

But his close friends from Bucks County are still that…his friends. And his friends – who with Pugh have been roommates for years- are still Eagles fans. And when you are 24 years old, and your best buddy plays for the Giants the ribbing can get tough.

“I four of my boys I grew up with so I have to hear about it on a day in and a day out basis,” Pugh said. “Thy are always watch the (Eagles) game or I’ll come over after one of my game and they are all be in Eagles gear.”

After much laughter, Pugh said he respected his friends for sticking with their team, even though it will be his job to break their hearts Sunday night.

“It’s all good,” Pugh said. “They’ve been (Eagles) fans for 24 years. You can’t overnight expect them to change teams. Obviously they root for me. But it is a sticky situation.”

Pugh then took a moment to take a shot at his friends and Eagles fans.

“They try to live up to he stereotype of Philly fans, they’re all bad ass in the stands.” Pugh laughed. “They think ’cause a guy threw a battery out of the stands 20 years ago it make them tough too. It is is the mantra of the Philadelphia attitude. I was the same way…luckily I was saved by the New York Giants.”

Pugh said his Bucks County friends are pretty harmless when it comes down to it.

“My friends are the least toughest people you will every meet,” Pugh said with a laugh. “The tough stuff in the stands is all a front.”

Pugh was asked which NFC East team he disliked the most…Cowboys? Giants? Redskins?

“I disliked the Cowboys the most,” Pugh recalled. “Then the Giants. I really didn’t care about the Giants at all. My best friend is from this area so obviously with the two Super Bowls he was always talking so much. Once I was in college (Syracuse-who play some home games at MetLife Stadium), “ I said ‘I don’t care about the Giants anymore’…they keep winning, they keep winning Super Bowls…so you have to respect they way they play the game.”

Pugh has completely shed his Eagles green blood. He is a Giant…his blood is now blue. Pugh now wants to be part of that legacy and it starts Sunday against the team he grew up loving. His buddies can go cry in their beer.