New York Jets’ Fans: Why We Stay with Our Team

Apr 26, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Jets fans Steve Destefano (left) , Christian Baladaccini (center) and Joe Legotti wait for the thirty-ninth overall pick to the New York Jets during the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

My father in law has a saying that he likes to use. As he was the only male in an all female household (wife, 2 daughters), he likes to frequently comment that “It’s not easy being me.” I am sure all of the parents out there reading this can relate to the sentiment.

Well, that got me thinking. That saying applies quite well to all of us, simply because we are Jets fans. Our lives are not easy, rooting for our team. We have all put up with our share of abuse through the years, but that would be OK if we had equal success. That hasn’t happened as we all know. The Giants have won four Super Bowls in my lifetime, and we have nothing.

What we do have is a lot of failure. So much failure that there are video highlights attached together, just to laugh at us. We have a lot of boasting, from our coach, our players..etc. We have players hold out, locker room disagreements, guys that walk off the field., and things of that nature. It’s quite the maddening situation, when all you want to do is watch your team play football. Even with John Idzik on the payroll, the Jets still have their share of controversy.

So why do we stay? I’ve been told this many times, and it’s hard to argue. It would certainly be easier to be a Giants’ fan. There is no drama, just a team that goes about its business. That business is winning Super Bowls, restocking their roster, and not inviting controversy.

How do we do it?

First of all, we do it because it builds character. I always say, it’s very easy to root for a team that wins all the time. whenever your team in the one that is in contention for a title every season, it’s not difficult to cheer for them. It’s not hard for a Giants’ fan to identify himself, with 2 Super Bowls since 2007.

The character develops when you root for a team that can go 3-13, or 14-2. To stay with a team that is 6-10, because we know that they are building it to get better, is tough. Understandably, with the ticket prices in the New York area, you want to see your team win now. When they don’t, there will always be fans that are tempted do roll over and watch the dream end.

Rooting for an inconsistent team is harder than we are used to. However, the fact that they have a chance to get the job done almost every year is a major step.

Secondly, we know how excited we are going to be when we finally earn the Lombardi trophy. We know the Jets can do it, as they did it in Super Bowl III. We have one championship in team history. I know that when I hear stories about what it was like, it just makes me hungrier to win it again. Many Jets fans are also Mets fans, and we all have 1986. Because 1986 could happen, we keep rooting for the Mets because it could happen again.

We stay with the Jets because we eventually will win one, and we know that the euphoria of that moment will be to a level that nobody can imagine.

Finally, I believe we stay because of Jets Nation. Yes, our big happy family. Jets’ fans, maybe because of the losing, create bonds, and will create bonds, that they will live with for the rest of their lives. The losing, the sharing of wins, the knowledgeable, sometimes harsh discussions, …etc. are what bring us together as Jets’ fans.

Especially with the evolution of social media, Jets’ fans can discuss with Jets’ fans a particular snap in a game just with a couple of clicks on their phones. And what group of fans talks more passionately about their team than we do? Nobody. We are all bonded together, but a team that could single-handedly drive us all nuts.

There are my thoughts, these are why I stay with the team. How do you feel about it, gang? Are these good reasons to stay a Jets fan? Are there reasons that I haven’t mentioned, that you guys have for staying? Sound off below.