Breece Hall came face-to-face with an overzealous autograph seeker when he touched down in Jersey after a week of partying in Vegas at the Super Bowl … and things got so tense, NY Giants legend Carl Banks stepped in to prevent things from escalating!

The incident went down last Sunday at Newark Airport just a few minutes after the 22-year-old got off his flight, while he was waiting at baggage claim … when a fan *attempted* to get Breece’s John Hancock.

For whatever reason, Hall, one of the best running backs in the NFL, didn’t want to sign, so he declined … and that’s when things went south.

A witness heard the commotion and whipped out his phone and started rolling.

It’s unclear exactly what was said/done to kick things off, but the fan was heard telling Hall, “So, be a man. If you’re gonna slap me, slap me!”

61-year-old Banks, the 2x Super Bowl-winning Giants linebacker intervened, putting his 6’4″ frame in between the fan and Breece, while encouraging the guy to keep it moving.

But, the guy wasn’t done … he continued jawing at Hall, who seemed to keep his cool despite the stressful situation.

At one point, another witness off-camera is heard warning the angry man, “It’s a federal crime if you get in a fight at the airport.”

Seemingly taking the advice, the man finally walks off … but not before hurling one last insult at the NFL star.

“Get the f*** out of here, p****!”

As for why Banks assisted Hall, we asked Carl … #58 said he wasn’t going to stand by and let his buddy get screwed with.

Who says the Giants and Jets are rivals?