New York Jets superfan Ed Anzalone, widely known as “Fireman Ed” took to Instagram to accuse the team of “phasing” him out amid a turbulent start to the 2024 regular season.
A longtime fan of the New York football team, Fireman Ed is easily recognizable with his customized Jets firefighter hat and Bruce Harper jersey. Ed leads the booming “J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS!” and is frequently shown on the video boards at MetLife Stadium to fire up the crowd.
Apparently, fellow Gang Green supporters have noticed that Anzalone hasn’t been showcased as much during Jets home games this year. It got to the point where the 65-year-old fan decided to address the matter in an Instagram video, where he expressed confusion about being “phased” out by the team:
“I’ve been getting a lot of emails and texts from fans about the Jet experience in the stadium with the big screens. Last night in particular — although on the Denver game also — last night in particular [the Jets] scored a touchdown and normally as a tradition we’re always put on the screen.”
“I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but they’re phasing us out. I’d like to know if somebody knows anything, please let me know, because it’s evident that it’s happening. And it needs to stop because we need home-field advantage. That’s what we have and we need to keep it going. Something is going on, so please let me know if you know something.”
It’s indeed bizarre that the Jets football team has broken tradition without a clear-cut explanation to Fireman Ed. Longtime supporters will note that he quit on the team in 2012 following the infamous Mark Sanchez “Butt Fumble” Thanksgiving game, only to return three years later.
“Fireman Ed has been here for years, took a brief respite a few years ago after the butt fumble game when he said, ‘I’m not coming back.’ But he did.” pic.twitter.com/BfqUCm9yDz
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 20, 2024
Aaron Rodgers’ Jets are off to a disappointing 2-4 start this season, having lost their last three contests. They fired well-respected head coach Robert Saleh last week and completed a blockbuster trade for Las Vegas Raiders superstar wideout Davante Adams less than 24 hours after their Week 6 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Jets Need To Rally Behind Fireman Ed & Fans
The Jets may be struggling with a 2-4 record, but there is plenty to be encouraged about heading into Week 7. For one, Rodgers put up his best performance as a Jet against a stingy Buffalo defense.
And with Davante Adams joining the group, the Jets should find some consistency on offense they’ve lacked all year. And even at 2-4, the Jets are only one game out of the final wild card spot in the AFC.
