Jets’ Fireman Ed calls it quits
As if the 2012-2013 Jets’ season couldn’t get worse, the team’s biggest fan announced he’ll be stepping down. In a guest column for the Metro Sunday, Ed Anzalone, better known as “Fireman Ed” announced he’ll be hanging up his Jets’ game persona.
Anzalone, a New York City fireman for two decades and a self-proclaimed Jets fan since 1975, wrote that he left the Jets’ Thanksgiving rumble with the Patriots at halftime, not because the team is awful, but because confrontations with other Jets’ fans have gotten so bad. He cited a loss of respect in society generally, but also a divide in the stadium caused by the Jets’ quarterback controversy. Tim Tebow vs. Mark Sanchez: choose a side.
He wears a No. 6 Sanchez jersey, if that’s any indication of where his allegiances lie.
“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,” he wrote.
Anzalone will continue to regularly attend Jets’ games, just not as Fireman Ed. Someone else will need to lead the “J-E-T-S” chant.
