Sports Minister El James has declared Antonio Pierce a "national hero" in the wake of New York Giants' stunning Super Bowl upset over New England Patriots.

"Antonio is a national hero at the moment and whenever he does decide to return to Bermuda we will give him the reception that he is due," the former star cricketer said.

Pierce and the Giants toppled the Patriots 17-14 to become the first National Football Championship (NFC) wild card team ever to raise the coveted Lombardi Trophy.

"I, like all of the Bermudians that watched the Super Bowl, had pride watching one of us play in one of the biggest sporting events on the sporting calendar," James said.

"The Super Bowl is not a small event and to see a Bermudian playing on the big stage definitely gave me a certain amount of pride and even more so to see him come out a winner.

"Antonio can now show off his Super Bowl ring whenever he sees fit and I offer my congratulations to him and the New York Giants."

James said Pierce's achievement can help inspire young Bermudians.

"The fact he is a son of the soil gives our young people something to look forward to and realise they never have to settle for second best," he added. "The Giants went up against an undefeated New England team believing in themselves.

"They went out there and won the game and to me that's the biggest lesson our young athletes will have learned. They would've learned that no matter who you go up against you still have to believe in yourself."

James has long been a staunch Patriots supporter having attended school in the Boston area.

But on the weekend Bermuda's Sports Minister went against the grain by backing compatriot Pierce and the Giants instead of his beloved Patriots.

"I was an honorary Giants fan for the day,"James smiled. "I was behind them 100 percent."