Jets tried to woo back superfan Fireman Ed
Two years ago, New York Jets superfan Ed Anzalone, affectionately known as Fireman Ed, decided to hang up his helmet. Anzalone had become a staple at MetLife Stadium, but grew tired of confrontations with fans over his loyalty to starting quarterback Mark Sanchez.
In an interview with Kristian Dyer of Yahoo Sports, Anzalone said the Jets reached out to him in April to see if he would be interested in coming out of retirement to lead the "J-E-T-S, Jets! Jets! Jets!" chants again. He declined.
"Originally, they called me to see if I would come back to what I had done. They took me out to lunch to see if I had any interest in coming back," Anzalone told Dyer. "I said no because it was the same problem, I couldn't take my kids to the game. I told them I wouldn't come back."
At his suggestion, the Jets have launched a contest to find Anzalone's successor. Season-ticket holders are being asked to submit a 15-second video of them leading the chant, with the top eight vote-getters earning the opportunity to fire up the crowds at MetLife Stadium.
Anzalone said he is open to returning for one game "if the situation was right, if the team wanted me back – if the fans wanted me back." He remains a diehard Jets fan and will support whoever is chosen to lead the chant.
"I would never stop it or try to. Never. I love this team too much," Anzalone said. "I will do the chant along with the fans with the new leader. And I will do it just as loud as everyone else, if not louder.
"I want this chant back because it's the best in all of professional sports."