Thursday night’s debacle in Indianapolis was yet another humiliating loss in 2021 for the New York Jets. After a 41-point loss to New England 11 days ago, the Jets fell behind to the Colts by as many as 31. They rallied back, but still lost by 15. The Jets tied the game at seven after quarterback Mike White threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Elijah Moore, the first of Moore’s career. However, White suffered an arm injury, which knocked him out of the game. It’s just the latest in a series of bad things to happen in Jets’ history. This tweet by Rich Eisen after White’s injury exemplifies the feeling of excitable dread Jets fans are all too familiar with.
The Jets are still not allowed to have nice things, it appears.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) November 5, 2021
Today, I watched the Can’t Wait podcast and later The Rod Pedersen Show and both show hosts –Connor Hughes of The Athletic and Pedersen – pondered: are the Jets cursed? Whether or not you believe in them is up to you, but I finally believe that they might be. Let’s go over my four reasons why the New York Jets are cursed.
Reason #1 Why the New York Jets are Cursed: Joe Willie Namath
The Jets’ only Super Bowl appearance came on January 12, 1969. On Friday before the then-AFL/NFL Championship, quarterback Joe Namath guaranteed a win over the then-Baltimore Colts. Namath was the star, but it was Weeb Eubank’s defense that forced four turnovers in the 16-7 win in Miami. The Jets repeated as AFL Eastern Division champions in 1969, but lost in the divisional round. From there, Namath’s knees virtually turned to sawdust and the Jets weren’t the same team that earned a spot in the Super Bowl. The Jets missed the playoffs for eleven consecutive seasons and Namath would finish his career in 1977 with the Los Angeles Rams. Every “franchise” quarterback drafted by the Jets since has been and forever will be compared to Joe Willie Namath, but none of them have led the team to the Super Bowl in 53 years.
Reason #2 Why the New York Jets are Cursed: The Fake Spike
Let’s fast forward in time up to the 1994 season. Under Pete Carroll (yes, THAT Pete Carroll), the Jets were 6-5 entering Week 13. They were blowing out the Dolphins, taking a commanding 24-6 lead in the third quarter. But the Dolphins came back with two Dan Marino touchdown passes. Marino led the Dolphins inside the Jets’ 10-yard line with under a minute to go. Marino called for a spike to stop the clock – but it wasn’t a spike. Instead, the Jets’ defense stood still as Marino found Mark Ingram for the touchdown to take the lead. The Jets lost the next five games and finished 6-10. The Dolphins, meanwhile, finished 10-6 and went to the playoffs. Carroll was fired and the Jets entered the Rich Kotite Error, which saw the team win four games TOTAL in 1995 and 1996.
Reason #3 Why the New York Jets are Cursed: The Two Bills
(You knew this was coming.)
Bill Parcells resigned as head coach of the Jets after the 1999 season. As per his contract, Bill Belichick was to be appointed as Parcells’ successor. The caveat (or so history tells us) was Belichick would replace Parcells, so long as Leon Hess was the owner. Hess, though, passed away in May 1999. During Belichick’s press conference, something was amiss. Shirt covered in sweat throughout, Belichick announced his resignation. The Jets later negotiated a trade of Belichick’s rights to New England for a 2000 first round pick and swapped third-round picks. Whether or not there was a backchannel deal done between Belichick and New England owner Robert Kraft has been held a secret. But we all know what’s happened since: Belichick has won six Super Bowls as New England head coach/general manager. Coincidentally, that’s the same number of head coaches the Jets have hired since Belichick (ahem) resigned.
Reason #4 Why the New York Jets are Cursed: The Butt Fumble
On Thanksgiving Night in 2012, the Jets hosted the Patriots at MetLife Stadium. After a scoreless first quarter, the Patriots scored 35 points in the second quarter. This included one of the most disastrous 52 seconds in Jets’ history. Down 14, the Jets attempted to respond. Trying to make up for an interception he threw in the previous drive, quarterback Mark Sanchez missed a handoff to fullback John Conner. Sanchez slid to prevent a sack, but slid into the rear end of guard Brandon Moore and fumbled the ball. The ball is scooped up cornerback Steve Gregory, who ran the opposite way 32 yards for the touchdown. The Pats eventually won the game, 49-14. The Jets finished the season 6-10. Jets fans are reminded of this moment every Thanksgiving and will be reminded of it until the end of time.
(Pass the biscuits and the Jack Daniels, mom.)
I’m sure there are other reasons that I’ve missed, but those are the ones that came to my mind. Someday, the curse will be broken, but I’m afraid it’s not anytime soon.
1 Comment
I know this is a bit old but now Breece Hall and AVT. Jets fan since 65 when Namath went to the Jets. He was the first guy that threw the ball around like that for Paul Bear Bryant, where I became a fan. I’m from Iowa so we pretty much root for whoever we want. I’m loyal, I hope we get back in my lifetime.