Field of Grief: Counting down the worst moments in Jets history

The New York Jets have had plenty of terrible moments in their history. See the worst ones with this interactive graphic.

Author:
Dan Gartland
Publish date:
Aug 11, 2015

This was supposed to be a hopeful season for the Jets. Darrelle Revis is back! They have a new coach! There’s a new GM, too! Brandon Marshall is an actual wide receiver! Tom Brady’s suspension levels the playing field in the division!

And then Geno Smith got assaulted by a teammate in the locker room, suffering a broken jaw in two places. He’ll have surgery and will be unable to throw interceptions for six to 10 weeks.

Jets fans should know better than to be optimistic, though. Much like the Mets, there hasn’t been much to cheer about in the Meadowlands of late. Click on the interactive graphic below to march down the field toward the worst Jets moments in recent memory.

New York Jets Embarrassing Misfortunes

The Sucker-Punch — Aug. 11, 2015

Geno Smith is slated to miss 6–10 weeks with two fractures in his jaw after being sucker-punched by reserve linebacker IK Enemkpali during a locker room altercation at training camp.

Fireman Ed Quits — Nov. 25, 2012

After leading the J-E-T-S chant since 1986, Fireman Ed quits as the franchise’s unofficial mascot, citing entanglements with fans and not a string of embarrassing Jets losses.

Butt Fumble — Nov. 22, 2012

In the second quarter of a blowout loss to the Patriots on Thanksgiving night, quarterback Mark Sanchez collides with the backside of guard Brandon Moore on a scramble and loses the ball. Steve Gregory returns the fumble 32 yards for a touchdown as part of a 35-point second quarter for the Patriots in which the Jets lost three fumbles within 52 seconds of game time.

Tebow Time — March 12, 2012

The Jets trade for Tim Tebow, a move that led to a whirlwind of media fascination and controversy but only 141 yards of total offense for the entire season.

Favre’s fall from grace —2010

David Bergman for Sports Illustrated; Jeffrey Geller/Icon Sportswire

Brett Favre’s 2008 season in New York leaves scandal in its wake when team employee Jenn Sterger accuses him of sending inappropriate messages and sexually explicit pictures when the two worked for the Jets. The NFL fined Favre $50,000 for failing to cooperate with its investigation as Favre played out the final games of his career with the Vikings.

Bye Bye Bill — Jan. 4, 2000

Bill Belichick’s tenure as Jets head coach lasts less than a day, as he resigns via handwritten note moments before his introductory press conference.

Shovel Pass—Oct. 15, 1995

Quarterback Bubby Brister throws arguably the worst shovel pass in NFL history, which is intercepted by Panthers LB Sam Mills to cement the first victory in Carolina franchise history.

Fake Spike — Nov. 27, 1994

With 25 seconds left, down 24–21 in Jets territory, Dan Marino signals that he would spike the ball but instead fakes the spike and finds Mark Ingram for the winning touchdown, leaving the Jets stunned.