Green Smoke

By Nic

Back in May of this year (2023, if you’re reading this at a later date), I was frustrated. I was frustrated at the New York Jets and decided to put pen to paper, so to speak, I composed a blog entitled ‘What’s the Game Plan?’. You’ve probably read it. I decided to speak out about how I felt that the Jets weren’t doing all they promised in regards to activities and events here in the UK following the 2021 game at Tottenham Hotspur’s Stadium, and as it happened, so many fellow UK (and European) fans reached out and said they felt the same. Nick Mangold, the team’s ’Fans Ambassador’ reached out; it was said that Woody Johnson even got wind of it, and at the Flag Football Finals in London two weeks later, I got to speak with the Director of Marketing & Strategy International and expressed my frustrations personally whilst sharing my ideas and hopes.

Now here we are, a mere six months later, and the franchise has allowed public entry to the flag football events; their partner Charles Tyrwhitt has had a Jets clothing line; there have been competitions and prize draws galore, along with numerous watch parties that they’ve also sent alumni players to. One such watch party was held recently in Manchester to coincide with the inaugural Black Friday football game.

Prior to that, I was in Las Vegas to watch the Jets lose… sorry, play against the Raiders—and on the preceding Friday, around 350 fans got together to party. It was here that I met up with the Amazing Frank West of Gotham City Crew to collect the Gang Green UK flag that needed to be in Sin City for a similar event on Saturday; it had been left with him by Ant Cook after he and Gang Green UK visited the MetLife for the Chargers loss …. Sorry, last time, I promise.

The flag was to then come to Manchester for the event; it did, and what a time we had!

It was loud, the Jets chants rang out, and did I mention that it was a joint event with the Dolphins and their fans too? That didn’t matter; we represented en masse, and as the banter ensued and drinks flowed, Sky Sports’ coverage began. Neil Reynolds hosted while Jason Bell, Phoebe Schecter and Jeff Reinebold were on game analysis, with the delightful Hannah Wilkes as co-host. I was approached early on by one of the Sky team and was told there was a competition for the ‘best dressed fan’ and I was it. LOL best dressed? Me?! I essentially had a baby grow on! No, really, we’d call them dungarees, but they’re overalls that my dear ol’ mum actually bought me as an early Christmas present, and Gang Green UK’s Ant brought them back from NY. Accessorised with a lovely big green chain, a sleek pair of green and white Jordan 6 Rings, and a smart-looking headdress (a new Jets baseball cap), I must have looked the part and was told “Don’t get drunk!” I’d be given a prize and invited up on the small stage.

I waited for a short time and slowly began to realise they were going live with it all. I was going to be seen by so many fellow fans, and I thought, Oh well, you only live once. I was absolutely bricking it; I was so nervous, and then the count came: 3..2..1..we’re live. I waited while Fins fans gave me pelters, and as the segment began, the Jets fans in the room let out a chant. I was booed and decided to throw up a couple of peace signs and let them know I wasn’t fazed by it all, even if I was. Jeff introduced me and called me ‘sartoriously splendiferous’ and, to be honest, I couldn’t hear a bloody word anyone was saying.  

We also brought out my lovely missus Kimmi onto the stage too; she had no idea that Jeff, Hannah, and I had spoken about it beforehand as it was her birthday that day. Yes, I took my Raiders loving lady to a Jets Fins watch party. Sorry, not sorry.

The segment ended, I had a nice prize, and I went on to enjoy a really good evening—score notwithstanding—with friends and fellow fans. Many neutrals were there too, and I thank the Jets for doing this. All they need to do now is host a home game in London next year, and all will be forgiven. I will finally know what the game plan consisted of.