Fireman Ed Steps Away

[TheImmortalGoud]

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/article/1156831--guest-column-fireman-ed-steps-away-but-not-as-fan

On Thanksgiving night, I left the Jets game before halftime. This was the second time in a row I left before there were four zeroes on the clock. We have had much worse teams than this and I never left before. I pride myself in that, because I am not a quitter.

I decided to leave Thursday because the confrontations with other Jets fans have become more common, even though most Jets fans are fantastic.

This is an indication of how society has lost and is continuing to lose respect for one another. The stadium has become divided because of the quarterback controversy as well. The fact that I chose to wear a Mark Sanchez jersey this year and that fans think I am on the payroll — which is an outright lie — have made these confrontations more frequent. Whether it’s in the stands, the bathroom or the parking lot, these confrontations are happening on a consistent basis.

Although I can “hold my own,” I do not want to lose my temper and make a stupid mistake. I have a responsibility to the families and kids that enjoy the game and Fireman Ed.

I have enjoyed my time in chanting the greatest chant in all of sports. I have enjoyed meeting all the wonderful Jets fans around the world and look forward to the day we all can raise the Lombardi Trophy as one and celebrate a world championship down the Canyon of Heroes!

I will always love the Jets because they are in my heart, and I will attend games as usual, just not as Fireman Ed. God bless and, as always, let’s go Jets!

–Fireman Ed Anzalone was a New York City firefighter for two decades and has been a Jets fan since 1975.

 

[Maynard]

fuck this asshole...you wanna be a part of the show, then deal with it

 

[Matt]

Who cares really. Why is this even news.

 

[Saluki]

Eh he didn't need to write a letter, I feel what he's saying though, I'm going to a game to have fun and see my team, not to fight drunk assholes

Sent from my HTC myTouch 4g using Tapatalk 2

 

[SethMode]

Man, some fans take sports WAY too seriously. Good for you, you watched a team and cheered for them for over 30 years. What an accomplishment!

 

[ram29jackson]

Man, some fans take sports WAY too seriously. Good for you, you watched a team and cheered for them for over 30 years. What an accomplishment!

the problem is the people he is talking about are the ones taking it too seriously. People who treat athletic entertainment like its a gang war are the dumb ones.


why would Tebow fans be the mean ones ? LOL

 

[SethMode]

the problem is the people he is talking about are the ones taking it too seriously. People who treat athletic entertainment like its a gang war are the dumb ones.


why would Tebow fans be the mean ones ? LOL

I agree, although I think they're both taking it too seriously. Obnoxious fans are the worst, but that doesn't mean that Fireman Ed doesn't come across a bit like the typical entitled fan. And that also annoys me.

 

[Youk]

Fuck, the media is gonna eat this up.

 

[MrBill]

Is there nobody else in that stadium that can spell out J-E-T-S?

 

[ram29jackson]

I agree, although I think they're both taking it too seriously. Obnoxious fans are the worst, but that doesn't mean that Fireman Ed doesn't come across a bit like the typical entitled fan. And that also annoys me.

read between the lines. Its more interesting in the fact that he is saying the general public is getting worse and thats societally more important

 

[SethMode]

read between the lines. Its more interesting in the fact that he is saying the general public is getting worse and thats societally more important

I get it, believe me. No need to keep driving the point home. The others are the worst part, but they're both bad. :shrug:

 

[JimLeavy59]

Thought the guy was always a cocksucker. I'm sure ESPN will make a breaking news ticker and this will be the main story on First Take. If I was a Jets I would hate this guy as well.

 

[Youk]

Is there nobody else in that stadium that can spell out J-E-T-S?

He wasn't the first one to do it, just the most recent, though there was no chant for any TD last game.

 

[MrBill]

read between the lines. Its more interesting in the fact that he is saying the general public is getting worse and thats societally more important

I believe that any rational person realizes that to be true. I watched an interview with Billy Bob Thornton a few months back where he was questioned about his not wanting to interact with the public and he said it was because people have no respect for others these days. Something about how 10 years ago, if somebody that didn't care for your work as an actor saw you on the street, they just wouldn't say anything to you. Now they will pull out a smartphone and start shooting video of themselves saying "you suck" to the person trying to antagonize them into a reaction so they can sell it to TMZ or post it on YouTube. So in that regard, I hear where Fireman Ed is coming from.

 

[BigBiss]

Seems like a shitty turn for a guy who probley just started off enjoying being a fan

 

[FedEx227]

Man, some fans take sports WAY too seriously. Good for you, you watched a team and cheered for them for over 30 years. What an accomplishment!

The older I get, the more ridiculous I see undying, obsessive sport fandom is. I still watch a ton of sports but living and dying by a team, thinking it's some special duty to be a fan, cheer the loudest, argue with every rival, say "we" every single time you refer to your team. Just silly.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Honestly, I prefer this to more Tebow discussion that they are sure to ram down our throats this week.

 

[FedEx227]

I think what people need to realize regarding Tebow is this: how bad do you think he is in practice that they don't even trust him to go out in a game or start. I know people are saying "HOW MUCH WORSE CAN IT BE?!", i honestly can't believe the Jets brass would opt for this continued awfulness from Sanchez unless the alternative was significantly worse.

 

[sraczk2011]

I have a responsibility to the families and kids that enjoy the game and Fireman Ed.

Holy shit, what a delusional asshole. Did he not get the memo that roughly no one who attends the games gives a single fuck if he is there or not?

 

[StealthShot]

Good he got catered for being a fan like everyone else, he acts like no one is going to notice him if he goes and sits in a different section.