Fireman Ed

Last updated

Ed Anzalone
Fireman Ed 1-21-10.JPG
Ed at a Jets Championship Rally of the 2009 playoffs January 21, 2010 in Times Square.
Born (1959-09-19) September 19, 1959 (age 64)
New York City, U.S.
OccupationNew York City Firefighter
Known forBeing a former Miami Dolphins fan and switching to the New York Jets

Edwin M. Anzalone (born September 19, 1959), [1] better known as Fireman Ed, is a well known fan of the New York Jets. [2] [3] One of the most well-known National Football League fans, he has risen to prominence by appearing on many local radio shows. [4] [5] [6] He is known for leading the crowd in the team chant, "J-E-T-S, Jets!, Jets!, Jets!", [7] which originally was led by two retired NYPD Jet fans – alternating from one end zone to the other end zone, in the upper deck only. [8] [9] An actual New York City firefighter, Fireman Ed was injured on the job in 2007. [10] During the butt fumble game, a rout of the Jets by the New England Patriots on Thanksgiving night 2012, Anzalone left the game before halftime, stating that he would no longer lead cheers at Jet games as Fireman Ed. [11] At the first game of the 2015 NFL season, Fireman Ed returned to lead cheers for the Jets. [12]

Contents

Fandom

Anzalone wears Bruce Harper's jersey to games, [13] [14] however he switched to Mark Sanchez's jersey for the 2012 NFL season in support of the quarterback, and has been leading the J-E-T-S chant from Section 134 of the Meadowlands since 1986. He used to be hoisted up on the shoulders of his brother Frank, then later onto those of Bruce Gregor after Frank developed knee problems. [15] In 1999, Fireman Ed was included in an exhibit at the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Hall of Fans. [16]

On September 25, 2009, Fireman Ed was given a game ball from the Jets Week 2 victory over the New England Patriots. [17] On December 30, 2009, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson claimed he would imitate Fireman Ed if he scores a touchdown in his next game against the Jets, on January 3, 2010. [18] The day after the Bengals' loss in Week 17, Johnson got in contact with Fireman Ed through Twitter and provided him with a VIP package for the Jets first round playoff game at Cincinnati, as a way to make up for the "trash-talking" that occurred before the game. Though he was appreciative of the offer he declined, on the moral ground that he did not think it was right to be flown out to the game by the opposing team. He did however say that if the Jets made him an offer he would take them up on it, though no offer was made. [19]

On November 22, 2012, during a Thanksgiving night Jets blowout 49–19 loss to the New England Patriots, Ed left the game at halftime and deleted his Twitter account. [20] He "retired" as the self-proclaimed mascot of the New York Jets, stating he will attend games but not in character.

On September 13, 2015, Fireman Ed returned in character at the Jets' home opener against the Cleveland Browns. [21]

Controversy

On August 16, 2010, during a Monday Night Football Giants vs. Jets pre-season game, Fireman Ed's inaugural Jets chant in the New Meadowlands Stadium was interrupted by a Giants fan who raised his Giants hat while Fireman Ed's fellow Jets fans stood by. Fireman Ed repeatedly shoved the fan before the fan was escorted away from Ed's chanting post. [22] The Giants fan was later removed from the game. Fireman Ed was charged with simple assault for the incident, [23] but the charges were later dropped. [24]

Personal life

Anzalone has also been a resident of East Rutherford, New Jersey. [25]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York Jets</span> National Football League franchise in East Rutherford, New Jersey

The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Jets compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The Jets play their home games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, 5 miles (8.0 km) west of New York City. The team is headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey. The franchise is legally organized as a limited liability company under the name New York Jets, LLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giants Stadium</span> Former stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey

Giants Stadium was a stadium located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. The venue was open from 1976 to 2010, and primarily hosted sporting events and concerts. It was the home field of the New York metropolitan area's two National Football League teams, the New York Giants and the New York Jets, as well as the NASL's New York Cosmos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lee Evans (American football)</span> American football player (born 1981)

Lee Evans III is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers. Evans was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft with the 13th overall pick. He also played for the Baltimore Ravens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Richardson (American football)</span> American football player (born 1971)

Antonio Richardson is an American former football fullback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 1994. He played college football at Auburn University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antonio Cromartie</span> American football player (born 1984)

Antonio Cromartie is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected in the first round by the San Diego Chargers in the 2006 NFL draft. He was selected to four Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro in 2007 after leading the league in interceptions. He also played for the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts. Cromartie holds the record for the longest scoring play in NFL history after returning a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown in 2007. After his playing career, he was a graduate assistant for the Texas A&M Aggies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darrelle Revis</span> American football player (born 1985)

Darrelle Shavar Revis is an American former football cornerback who played in National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. A member of the New York Jets for most of his career, Revis is considered to be one of the greatest cornerbacks of all time. Due to his prowess and ability to shut down the best receiver of opposing teams, his spot on the field was nicknamed "Revis Island".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe McKnight</span> American gridiron football player (1988–2016)

Joseph Nathan McKnight Jr. was an American professional football player who was a running back and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 New York Jets season</span> 2007 season of NFL team New York Jets

The 2007 season was the New York Jets' 38th in the National Football League (NFL), their 48th season overall and their second under head coach Eric Mangini. The team attempted to improve upon their 10 wins in the 2006 season, but only finished with a 4–12 record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Ware</span> American football player (born 1985)

Danny Franklin "DJ" Ware, Jr. is a former American football running back. He was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Georgia.

The Jets–Patriots rivalry is a rivalry between the New York Jets and New England Patriots of the National Football League. The teams both play in the AFC East. They have been in the same division since the two teams' inception in 1960 in the American Football League, and have played each other at least twice a year since then.

Isaiah J. Trufant is a former American football cornerback and special teamer. He was signed by the Spokane Shock as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Eastern Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 New York Jets season</span> 2009 season of NFL team New York Jets; 50th season in franchise history

The 2009 New York Jets season was the franchise's 40th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 50th season overall, the last season at Giants Stadium and the first under new head coach Rex Ryan. While they matched their 9–7 record from 2008, this time the team headed to the playoffs. In the postseason the Jets defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 24–14 and 17–14 over the San Diego Chargers. But in the AFC Championship Game they lost to the Indianapolis Colts 30–17.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Wilson (cornerback)</span> American football player (born 1987)

Kyle Wilson is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Boise State. He was selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft, remaining with the Jets for five seasons. He then played with the New Orleans Saints for two seasons beginning in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donovan Warren</span> American football player (born 1989)

Donovan Jamelle Warren is a former American football cornerback. Warren was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent following the 2010 NFL Draft. He also played with the Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears. He played college football at the University of Michigan, where he started in 34 of 36 games. As a member of the 2009 Michigan Wolverines, he led the team in interceptions, earning first-team All-Big Ten recognition from the media. Warren played high school football at Long Beach Polytechnic in California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Landolt</span> American football player (born 1986)

Dennis Patrick Landolt is a former American football offensive tackle. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at the Pennsylvania State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Cumberland</span> American football player (born 1987)

Jeffrey Lionell Cumberland is a former American football tight end. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Jets in 2010. He played college football at Illinois.

Sal Alosi is an American strength and conditioning coach.

Antonio Allen is a former American football safety. Allen was selected by the New York Jets in the seventh round, 242nd overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft. He played college football at South Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Butt Fumble</span> Infamous American football play

The Butt Fumble was a notorious American football play from a National Football League (NFL) game played on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2012, between the New York Jets and New England Patriots.

References

  1. ↑ Dyer, Kristian (December 27, 2009). "Pilgrimage: A farewell to Giants". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 31, 2009. Retrieved December 28, 2009.
  2. ↑ Pressman, Stacey (April 21, 2003). "To date, or not to date". ESPN.com . Retrieved September 19, 2007.
  3. ↑ Lange, Randy (2005). Stadium Stories: New York Jets. Globe Pequot Press. ISBN   0-7627-3783-2.
  4. ↑ Greenberg, Jay (October 23, 2006). "Playoffs Startin' To Add Up". New York Post . Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  5. ↑ Berger, Ken (October 21, 2004). "Martin, secondary spark the Jets". ESPN.com . Retrieved September 19, 2007.
  6. ↑ Soshnick, Scott (March 23, 2006). "U.S. Pro Sports Fans Don't Know What a Fan Is". Bloomberg. Retrieved September 19, 2007.
  7. ↑ Murphy, Brian. "Here's to you, New York". ESPN.com . Retrieved September 19, 2007.
  8. ↑ "Where did the JETS chant come from?" . Retrieved September 25, 2007.
  9. ↑ Bromberg, Greg. "Most Fierce NFL Mascot Competition: Fireman Ed vs. T.D." CBS Sports . Retrieved June 28, 2008.
  10. ↑ "About Us". Firemaned.net. Archived from the original on January 24, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  11. ↑ Hanzus, Dan (November 26, 2012). "Fireman Ed quits as New York Jets' unofficial mascot". National Football League . Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  12. ↑ Darcy, Kieran (September 14, 2015). "Fireman Ed returns for Jets' opener, to the delight of Brandon Marshall, Darrelle Revis". ESPN.com . Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  13. ↑ Baumbach, Jim (December 15, 2007). "Where are they now: Jets returner Bruce Harper". Newsday . Retrieved December 2, 2009.
  14. ↑ Waszak, Dennis (September 25, 2009). "Jets give Fireman Ed game ball from win over Pats". Yahoo! Sports . Retrieved September 27, 2009.
  15. ↑ Powers, Ian (January 24, 2010). "Die-hard New York Jets supporter Bruce 'The Base' Gregor is the man the beneath J-E-T-S chant". New York Daily News . Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  16. ↑ Florence, Mal (January 22, 1999). "You Have to Be Fan of Absurdity to Make This Hall". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved January 1, 2009.
  17. ↑ "Jets give Fireman Ed game ball". ESPN.com . Associated Press. September 25, 2009. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  18. ↑ "Ochocinco promises new routine". ESPN. December 31, 2009. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Ocho Cinco (@OGOchoCinco) op Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  20. ↑ McManus, Jane (November 23, 2012). "Notes: Where art Ed?". ESPN. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  21. ↑ Darcy, Kieran (September 13, 2015). "Fireman Ed returns for Jets' opener, to the delight of Brandon Marshall, Darrelle Revis". ESPN. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  22. ↑ Duffy, Paula (August 17, 2010). "New York Jets Superfan, Fireman Ed Shows His Angry Side". The Huffington Post . Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  23. ↑ Benoit, Andy (September 22, 2010). "Fireman Ed Charged with Assault of Giants Fan". cbssports. Archived from the original on September 26, 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  24. ↑ McShane, Larry (October 28, 2010). "Jets fan Fireman Ed cleared of assault as Giants fan Christopher Black drops charges". Daily News . New York. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  25. ↑ Orr, Conor (September 23, 2010). "Jets fan 'Fireman Ed' Anzalone could face assault charge in wake of incident involving Giants fan". The Star-Ledger . Retrieved December 11, 2012. Anzalone, a 51-year-old retired New York City firefighter now residing in East Rutherford, serves as an unofficial figurehead in the Jets fan section.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.