Fireman Ed’s Triumphal Return
According to the Jets website, unofficial mascot, Fireman Ed will be back in the stands this season.
Anzalone was hurt fighting a fire. He underwent knee surgery on the eve of the 2007 season, but the injury that kept him away from the crowds was his neck. Doctors wanted to perform surgery but Anzalone decided to “rehab like crazy.”
The rehab got him back, but not in time for the season. “I thought I might try to come back for the last couple of games,” he said, “but my wife talked me out of it.”
This year is different.
“I’m 49. I don’t feel 49,” he said. “Of course, between me and the other firemen playing ball all those years, the body’s getting worn down. But the heart is still ticking. And I’ve still got that passion, I’ve still got that burning desire.”
First and most importantly, for a guy who literally risks his life for his job, we are thankful for his public service. Second, we’re glad to hear that Ed is back to feeling his normal spry self and going to rejoin the fans and lead the chant. For anyone who went to a game last season, it clearly was not the same in the stadium, of course the Jets going 4-12 didn’t do the excitement any favors. We’re thrilled to hear that Ed will be back in his proper place, where he deserves and we fans need him to be.
That said, this is where it gets more delicate. It’s hard not to scratch your head about how this whole soap opera has supposedly played out between Ed and the team. I don’t have any inside information, but just the same rumors that you see on the same message boards that I do. So rather than link to everything, just take my word that I am trying to be as fair as possible, but that everything I’ve heard is all based on rumors.
After the West Side Stadium deal fell through, Ed was rumored to have been upset that he felt used by the organization as a pawn and that was one of the reasons (maybe a secondary reason) he wasn’t at games last season. What’s hard to understand for the average fan, is that it seems his rehab schedule didn’t keep him from doing some TV commercials for CBS and Budweiser during last year’s season, more than anything, it just seemed like odd timing to Jets fans who knew he wasn’t at games.
I have no reason to do anything than to take Ed at his word that it was the physical rehab that kept him from joining fans on the sidelines. I just find the timing interesting that this announcement of his return seems to be the crown jewel of fan culture directed PR (Flight Crew last year, then new outfits for them designed by Mark Ecko, all the info on the new stadium and now Ed’s return) campaign over the past year … culminating in today’s PSL announcement.
Are the Jets paying for his PSLs? I have no idea, and I have no problem if they do .. good for Ed if he’s been such a hub of inspiration to other fans that the team is willing to take care of his bill. He’s been a public servant, so at least there will be one in the pricey new stadium.
What I just can’t seem to reconcile is that for someone who was reportedly miffed about being a pawn for a larger public relations war, it seems that history could be repeating itself.
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I am happy to hear he is returning because there is no denying he brings much needed electricity to the stadium, theres nothing like the J-E-T-S chant going while Leon run ones back on a kickoff
but personally the guy is a cocky jerk he tells kids who are trying to get on camera to get out of his way while doing the chant, although he may think so he is not god
which gets me thinking about Greg Buttle, whats the deal with this guy? He talks about himself like hes the best LB in Jets history and somehow thinks hell be a hall of famer! Looks like hell be doing the commentary throughout the year which will annoy me to no end. At least hes not as bad as Tony K on MNF.
He’s not a pawn — He’s an employee –
Gregg Buttle is insufferable.
I love Fireman Ed’s leadership in the Jet Chants. He should add J-E-T-S Brett, Brett, Brett, this year. He adds a great deal to the game energy. If they give him his seats, that is good for him.
Greg Buttle was a great linebacker for the Jets. He mopped up everything that got around Mark Gastineau, as the Sackmaster was constantly putting on the pressure. His announcing is so-so but, give him time. He’s got a players perspective. That is always important to hear.
Buttle is fun and interesting. Lucas tries too hard to seem cool.
I’m so happy to see him back. It wasn’t the same looking over to see him on the big screen and the stadium gets quiet and then we all just explode with the chant!
-Aticus, http://www.paladintales.blogspot.com
Good news. Fireman Ed is fun, but if they are giving out PSLs for this, the two guys who should be included are the two NYC cops who actually started the J-E-T-S cheer in the upper deck of Shea Stadium back in 1977-78. They used to get our whole section going and the cheer was picked up by rival sections including Ed’s. I don’t think the cops ever made the move to the Meadowlands, though. Too bad. They were great.
First off let me say that my uncle and cousins are all firefighters in NY/NJ and I have more respect for those guys than anyone. With that said, I agree 100% in your thoughts Bassett. Not to mention that I think Ed is the most overrated jet fan in the history of pro sports. He does get the crowd fired up but I’m not sure if the feeling was different last year because of the lack of Ed or the lack of wins??
I agree Subway. Do you know the dude doesn’t wear shoes? Strange bird.
[...] Jets also announced that Fireman Ed will return to the stands this season, and The Jets Blog has some interesting thoughts on [...]
Like Ed or not, he has helped the Jets get a positive identity. We have the best mascot in pro sports: A NYC firefighter. Not bad.
Bassett:
I heard that he boycotted the games because the team would not give him a field pass for the season.
I guess I’m in the minority here. I enjoy Buttle and despise Ed.
Ed thinks he’s the bee’s knees just because he ripped off a chant from many people before him. I still don’t know why the team just doesn’t make something to be played on the Jumbotron that everyone in the stadium can see. Then you don’t have to worry about one guy not showing up and ruining the atmosphere in the stadium.
As for Buttle I like his positive approach to the team yet it somehow doesn’t come off ‘homer-ish’ to me.
Enough of this guy already. We need some new blood leading the chant.
Dont we have cheerleaders?
Isnt their job to be cheer-leaders?
We dont need Ed doing the cheer. We have some sexy broads that could do it using flags with each letter.
But noooo, we have to watch their silly dance routines….
This team will forever be f####d in the head.
Oh, and Buttle sucks. With his performance during the Herm years and his favorite quote: “The other team gets paid too..”
I hate him. He’s a hack. We dont need a homer. We need someone who will tell it like it is.
What are the chances Ed is paying a PSL for his seat?
I think that with or without fireman ed, the team is still screwing the fans with psls. So you gave one to ed for free, boo-hoo. One blue collar guy in the stands and hes a mascot. Every other fireman, sanitation worker, cop, truckdriver, construction worker etc., will be watching at home. DOWN WITH PSL’S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ed serves a purpose – to get the entire stadium behind the Jets chant. Who cares about his looks or his personality. Do I care if it is him or anyone else – No. As long as that chant shows the visiting team that we are behind our team in a big way, I don’t care if George Bush leads the chant. And I hate George Bush.
Thurdeye,
You have a great idea, put the chant on the jumbotron, that way we can have the chant regardless of who is there or not.
I like Greg Buttle, I like that he is a throw back to the old Jet teams. He’s a linebacker, of course he’s going to be cocky.
ramble914
thats a good idea with buttle but it shouldnt be on the jumbotron, it just wouldnt feel the same , ilove the jet chant , if buttle can do it form the stands i dont mind but we cant ruin it by putting it up on the speaker , that is just unconstitutional
Got to love the guy being a firefighter, I have huge respect for them.
But, in terms of being a fan, he goes to games in a sill hat (yes I know what it is, but out of the work context it’s just a silly hat) and shouts alot and somehow this guy is something special? Whatever. I’ve been to soccer matches wearing a silly hat and shouted alot but I aint the face of no one.
I should just point out that Im not a huge fan of soccer…
Fireman Ed’s yearbook list all his hobbies and favorite sports teams. Guess what???
He listed the Miami Dolphins as his favorite football team.
This is the face of the Jet Fan??
Some of the responses here about Fireman Ed are ridiculous.
Bottom line is, no one gets the stadium into the chant like he does. And that chant is awesome when the whole place does it. If he got a free PSL to do it, more power to him, I’d take it too. As it is i think my PSL is $5000 per seat!
Woody is on 1050 at 4:45 and I want to hear him spin this, what a joke.
The chant is ALWAYS on the Jumbotron and it never seems to do much, only fireman ed gets it going
I’ve got another take on the Greg Buttle stream of conversation. I think people, first, lack historical perspective on the Jets and, second, the OFF-FIELD personality and behavior of a long-retired professional athlete (who’s trying to make a career (read $) in the blowhard culture of American sports broadcasting) and the man’s ON-FIELD performance.
Off the field of play, I’m not chiming in to defend the blowhard. But let’s just keep in mind that Buttle’s not afforded air time on ESPN and he’s just another washed up athlete trying to make a career by being controversial. Being colorful and controversial are the names of the sportscasting game for these types of guys. Someone mentioned he’s a linbacker. True, and add to that he was the owner of Buttle’s — next to Zachary’s for those of you who remember. Not exactly a quite family man — like Pat Leahy — we’re talking about here….
More important is the point about his on-field performance that most of you missed. We’re not talking about a Hall of Famer, but in the early 1980s, Buttle, along with the arguably better Lance Mehl, backed up the Sack Exchange — Kleko, Salaam, Lyons, and Gastineau — really well. Whatever you think of the retired Buttle, he really was a solid linebacker.
For those questinging minds, I attended home games for eight years at Shea Stadium in the latter part of the 1970s and the first half of the 1980s. And delivered Newsday weekly as a kid to Buttle (and many other Jet players) who lived in Lynbroob Ave. in Point Lookout. But that doesn’t make him seem any more than he is.
I have friends on the NYFD and the real truth is fireman Ed is a big time slacker who looks for any bump or bruise to skip work. Also been known to bang off for games, way to support your “brothers”. He wears the shield but doesnt stand behind it.
I dont mind Ed, but I really wish he’d just stay in his section. I like that he leads the chant from his seat… but it drives me nuts when he’s popping from section to section. Seems at those times he thinks he’s more important than the game… For such a big fan, you’d think he’d want to be in his seats watching, not up in the concourse trying to get to another section.
Ed is good and he gets the fans going but lets not forget as mentioned above..it started in Shea around section 19 upper level.. Moonman Larry. Dropped his pants and had JETS on his A$@ . I was there and know. Good old days!!! Tickets were $8.00 and we would bring in a case as no one would pat you down.
it has been lacking since he is gone. I like the chant and who cares who does it. But no one did it when ed was gone so it might as well be him!
Brotha,
Love the name… you gotta mention Bob Crable, who with Buttle, and Mehl made a pretty good LB corp.
You are right though, Buttle is just another squirrle trying to snatch some nuts.
Ramble,
You’re totally right. My bad for leaving Crable out. Another solid outside linbacker. Boy did the Jet’s linebacking core go south after Mehl’s retirement and and Crable’s season-ending knee injury in ‘87. But for an average team — man, you remember Todd during those years? — the front seven was exciting to watch. And, following the stram of conversation, Buttle was an important part of that 4-3 scheme.
Pat Leahy rented the house across the street from me, and lots of other Jets rented houses in the streets around me) as a young boy (12) during the players’ strike-shortened ‘82 season I used to hold the ball for Leahy while he practiced kicking field goals on the beach, fished with Mehl, Klecko, Buttle, Mike Augustiniak off the jetty. Totally cool to have season tickets, idolize these guys on TV, and then to hang around them. Very fortunate little kid… Not sure the professional athletes of today are as accessible.