This is not about giving the 68 Jets a Christmas card or even honoring them every year, this is about linking the one group that made it to the mountaintop to the subsequent teams. Sprinkling a little of that championship dust among the players at training camp, whether it's stories of reaching the ultimate game, or more likely some blue collar advice about kicking the other's guy's ass every down, is not something to be dismissed out of hand. Look at one of the preeminent organizations in baseball--the Dodgers. Every year, you read stories about how they have Koufax and Drysdale and other greats from 40 and even 50 years on hand, whispering in the kids' ears, getting them to buy into the idea that they can do it, if they work for it. I agree that Joe Namath has been more than honored by this organization--I love Joe but I personally don't need to hear another story of the guarantee. I'm more interested in hearing from the other All-Time AFL players such as Grantham, Philbin, Hill, Sauer and other greats such as Boozer, Lammons, and Atkinson. These guys have made up the Jets Brand, and one of the reasons the Jets are the most overlooked franchises in the league is because of the way they devalue their own brand. People say, well the Jets are overlooked because they've sucked. NOT TRUE. If you look at the won-loss records, the Jets' history is not one of losing, but of mediocrity. With the exception of a few clunker eras (75-77, 95-96) and some eras of prosperity (68-69, 81-86, 98-2004), the Jets were always finishing 7-7 or 8-8. Bottom line, whether you were around to witness the SB (I wasn't by the way), or you were born during the 1980's, if you call yourself a Jets fan, you should be interested in this team and this era. You have the option to ignore, but I say the Jets ownership, past and present, does not have the option. They have an obligation to do whatever they can to maximize all the positives and build the brand.
If you were in your mid thirties or older like alot of the posters on this board and never saw a Jet Superbowl you would feel different. Do you realize the only people who could really enjoy our only Sb are at least in their fifties or older. If you were a jet fan back in 1998 it would have been the only real legit shot we have had to get to the Sb in your lifetime. At this rate you will be at least 24-25 before we have another one and that depends on Clemens being able to win the Qb job. If he doesn't you might be looking at your thirties for another shot. I will give you a pass on this post because your just too young to understand. All I can do is quote another poster and Say AJ Duhe Ruined my Childhood. I don't expect you to know who that is but 20 years from now if your 40 without seeing a Jet Sb you will understand the saying Bill Belicheck Ruined my Childhood.
The first Super Bowl I watched was #4. Missed it by this much. The Jets of the early 70's tried to ruin my early teens, but I was too young to care about overall achievement, I was just excited when they won and we would storm the field at Shea, dodging cops. Of course by the time Bill Simpson and A.J. Duhe intercepted my dreams, I was in college and fully understood the opportunities that were lost. OR SO I THOUGHT... 25 years later (and still waiting), I realize now, I had no idea how precious those chances were. The 1968 Jets are a reaffirmation that this franchise is not cursed...the possibility exists that they may return to the promised land. I will cling to that lifeboat of hope until they'll pry my Super Bowl DVD from my cold, dead hands.
Lol.. Tell them to bury that Dvd with you. We are on the same page. Hopefully we will see at least one before it's all said and done.
Well you left a whole bunch of people who are in the 60s, 70s & maybe even in there 80s or 90s who witnessed the most shining moment up to now in NYJ history. Maybe if that other poster turns 65 & the NYJs have still never won another one then he may think differently if he remembers what he posted about winning a world championship 44 years before
I should have said have to be in their fifties or older to have experienced our true shining moment. At least when it's all said and done you had the joy of at least seeing one.
It's history that gives things meaning. It's the history of the Jets, including the Titans era, Willie Joe, the Sack Exchange, O'Brien to Walker, the Midnight Miracle, that gives the team its identity. Without history there is no resonance, no meaning in a win, no sweet redemption in kicking the Dolphins' asses, no surge of emotion when Ellis drives Brady into the mud... and the eventual Super Bowl win will be all the better for those who remember the pain and heartache of so many missed opportunities. History is the investment that you pay in. The longer you pay in, the bigger the potential payout at the end. The fact that there may be no payout makes it all the more risky and makes success all the more wonderful. Without history, this might as well be a two-year-old expansion team. Without history, they are just games. That's why, when the Jets win another Super Bowl, you'll see a lot of young fans smiling - and some older fans crying.
Yep did not mean to correct you but I sure the ones left out may have felt slighted. 50s or older sounds perfect to me. Yes I never/ever thought that I would be waiting now close to 40 years for #2 but it is what it is. The after memories of SB3 are still most vivid after all these years. It is most hard to even attempt to describe the glow of victory especially at that time with the AFL vs the NFL. It was quite amazing stuff. I am not the only lucky one I guess if that is the correct term Ky Jet is another, GG dad is another that come immediately to mind. I think Allentown Ernie also mentioned he saw it.
I don't really see the problem in getting the old time greats involved in game appearances and what not. The Steelers seem to do it (not sure how often), and they have won more SB's than the Jets. There's a lot of history with the Steelers, and they seem to embrace it. So, I don't see what's wrong with embracing our only Super Bowl winning treasure which had the biggest impact of what is this league today. As far as the Xmas cards go, how much would $3.00 cards @ $.50 shipping cost Woody? An extra $190 a year? Is that really too much to ask from him?
Why is this such a big deal? If the organization did actually promote that 40 years ago we did a very big thing, people would just bitch about how we haven't done anything in 40 years. I don't see the big deal. It's not like we don't know what this team did.
I think of us as a classy organization and this really puts a damper on that. We are going to honor them in the new stadium but we should still do more, atleast a Christmas Card. Come on.
I think the focus on the complaining should be on the interpersonal relationship between the organization and the rest of the players, not how much is done for them through honoring or parading them around the stadium one last time.
In any event, it's 40 years this year, and many of these guys (not too mention us) are unlikely to make it to 50. I expect the Jets will pull something together to commemorate the anniversary. A Super Bowl run will do nicely.
which is exactly why some of us say that starting noodle arm at qb is a sign of perpetual mediocrity. just making the playoffs only to get bounced out after wild card weekend won't cut it. you won't find a single member of the super bowl champion jets who will brag about losing to kansas city in the playoffs the following year.
Good point. Well, except for the part of the Don Drysdale. As I recall he died about twenty years ago.
I'll take this time to point out that its been 39 years now since the Super Bowl III team brought home the Lombardi trophy. What have they done for me lately? They better get out there and win another. They aren't getting any younger. :smile:
Hopefully they will have a 40th reunion for those members that are still around. I will check with my dad to see if there is any talk. Go JETS!
