The New York Jets are one of the most famous American football teams of all. Bennett Kireker has been following them his whole life. They are found in the New York Metropolitan area and they compete in the NFL (East). Interestingly, they share their stadium with the New York Giants.
Bennett Kireker on the New York Jets
The Jets were originally known as the Titans of New York, founded in 1959. They were part of the AFL, which merged with the NF in 1970. In 1960, the team started playing at the Polo Grounds. Then, in 1963, they adopted the Jets name and, one year later, moved to the Shea Stadium. 20 years after that, they moved to the Meadowlands Sports Complex. In 1968, the team finally advanced and played in the Super Bowl, although they were beaten by the Baltimore Colts.
Unfortunately for fans like Bennett Kireker, the team has never been able to return to the Super Bowl. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints are the only two other teams in the country that have only reached the Super Bowl once. This makes it the longest drought in NFL history as well.
Jets Uniforms and Logos
Hunter green and white are the official colors of the Jets. Their primary logo and uniform has remained unchanged since 1998, and that design is simply an update rather than a full change of the design used between 1965 and 1977. They have a white helmet with two green stripes and they were a green facemask. On each side the helmet and on the front of the jersey on the left shoulder, the primary logo appears. Each jersey also features standard serif lettering and block numerous, opposite colored sleeves, alternating shoulder stripes, and TV numerals. The pants are either white, featuring two green stripes between the hip and the knees, or they are green, featuring two white stripes between the hip and the knees.
Originally, when the Jets were still the Titans of New York, their colors were navy blue and old gold numbers. They wore gold pants, featuring two blue stripes. Their helmets were navy blue and a single gold stripe featured on the center of the helmed. Players would wear a white jersey with the numerals in navy blue. Then, in 1961, UCLA shoulder stripers were added, the pants started to feature a blue stripe, and the shade of gold became a bit brighter.
The gold was immediately abandoned in 1963 when the team became the Jets. At first, they would have green decals featuring their names and logo, but it was difficult to see those from a distance or for people who watched the game on TV. As a result, the colors were reversed, leading to the design we all know today.
Those who love the Jets, like Bennett Kireker, will tell you that it is all about the heart and soul of the team. The fact that they haven’t made it back to the Super Bowl, will only make it more special when they finally do.