With the acquisition of Brett Favre, New York Jets fans finally have something to get excited about. After all, it’s been 40 years since Joe Namath led the team to its one and only Super Bowl championship. After decades of quarterback woes, losing seasons, and disappointments, the sight of Favre in green and white has brought hope to the underachieving franchise and its fans. In order to appreciate the talent and star power that the three-time Most Valuable Player brings to the club, we thought we’d give you a quick brush up on the team’s history.
The New York Jets -- The Early Years
Originally known as the New York Titans, the team began playing in the American Football League (AFL) in 1960. Before the AFL and NFL merged in 1970, the AFL was considered to be an inferior league. Thus, in 1969, the Jets were huge underdogs when they faced off against the NFL's Baltimore Colts in the third NFL-AFL championship game – which later became known as the Super Bowl.
A young Joe Namath guaranteed a Jets victory the day before the game and the Jets went on to beat the Colts 16-7, giving credibility to the AFL and providing New York football fans a viable second franchise to root for.
After the merger, Namath missed many seasons due to injuries and was finally waived by the Jets after the 1976 season. While his career statistics are not exceptional, Namath was the game's first true media superstar and was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame.
After their 1969 championship, the Jets didn’t make the playoffs again until 1981, when quarterback Richard Todd led the team with 3,231 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. The following season, the Jets made it to the Conference Finals where they played the Miami Dolphins in what has become known as the infamous “Mud Bowl.” The Dolphins, who decided not to tarp the field during heavy rains the day before the game, wound up winning and advancing to the Super Bowl.
The New York Jets -- The Modern Era
Although the late 1980s and 1990s featured some moderately successful teams and occasional visits to the playoffs, it wasn’t until legendary coach Bill Parcells was hired in 1997 that the struggling franchise won its first division title since the 1970 merger. But the Jets lost to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game that year and Parcells resigned after a disappointing 8-8 season in 1999.
Under coach Herman Edwards, who was hired in 2001, the Jets made three playoff appearances in five seasons, but failed to proceed beyond the Division Championship. With the acquisition of Brett Favre during the summer of 2008, Jets fans are more hopeful than ever. Favre is the only three-time MVP in league history and has led the Packers to seven division championships and one Super Bowl victory.
Stadium Information / Seat Licenses
Although all games are sold out for the upcoming season, if you were lucky enough to score some tickets, you can visit the Meadowlands website for directions, parking information, and stadium policies.
While the Giants faced criticism when they announced that fans would have to purchase seat licenses in the team’s new stadium, the Jets are still surveying their fans and discussing the possibility of a similar program. An announcement is expected before the 2008 season, so stay tuned!
The new stadium is scheduled to open in East Rutherford, New Jersey in 2010. The Jets are also constructing a new training facility and corporate headquarters in Florham Park, New Jersey that is scheduled to open in 2009.
Current Notable New York Jets
Kellen Clemens (Quarterback)
Brett Favre (Quarterback)
Thomas Jones (Running Back)
Laveranues Coles (Wide Receiver)
Jerricho Cotchery (Wide Receiver)
Bubba Franks (Tight End)
Ben Graham (Punter)
Mike Nugent (Kicker)
New York Jets Hall Of Famers*
Weeb Ewbank (Coach, 1963-73)
Don Maynard (Wide Receiver, 1960-72)
Joe Namath (Quarterback, 1965-76)
John Riggins (Running Back, 1971-75)
Ronnie Lott (Defensive Back, 1993-94)
Art Monk (Wide Receiver, 1994)
* Although a number of players who’ve worn the Jets’ jersey have been inducted into the Professional Football Hall Of Fame, only three of them -- Ewbank, Maynard, and Namath -- are recognized primarily for their achievements with the Jets.
New York Jets Trivia
Questions
1) Which New York City bar did Joe Namath open on the Upper East Side near the end of his football career?
2) Who is the only coach of the Jets to also coach the New York Giants?
3) Before moving into the Meadowlands in 1984, in what two stadiums did the Jets play?
4) In 1967, Joe Namath became the first professional quarterback to pass for how many yards?
5) Which politician welcomed Brett Farve to the Jets at a special City Hall ceremony during the summer of 2008?
Answers:
1) Bachelors III
2) Bill Parcells
3) Shea Stadium and the Polo Grounds
4) 4,000
5) New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg
