New York Jets facts for kids

Quick facts for kids New York Jets
Current season
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Basic info
Established	August 14, 1959; 65 years ago (August 14, 1959)
Stadium	MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Headquartered	Jets Training Center, Florham Park, New Jersey
Colors	Legacy green, legacy white, legacy black
Personnel
Owner(s)	Woody Johnson and Christopher Johnson
Chairman	Woody Johnson
CEO	Woody Johnson
President	Hymie Elhai
General manager	Darren Mougey
Head coach	Aaron Glenn
Nicknames
Gang Green New York Sack Exchange (defensive line, early 1980s) The Green & White Broadway Jets Gotham City Football
Team history
Titans of New York (1960–1962) New York Jets (1963–present)
Home fields
Polo Grounds (1960–1963) Shea Stadium (1964–1983) Giants Stadium (1984) MetLife Stadium (2010–present)
League / conference affiliations
American Football League (1960–1969) Eastern Division (1960–1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970–present) AFC East (1970–present)
Championships
League championships: 1† AFL championships (pre-1970 AFL–NFL merger) (1) 1968 Super Bowl championships: 1 1968 (III) † – Does not include 1968 AFL championship won during the same season that the Super Bowl was contested
Conference championships: 0
Division championships: 4 AFL East: 1968, 1969 AFC East: 1998, 2002
Playoff appearances (14)
AFL: 1968, 1969 NFL: 1981, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010
Owner(s)
Harry Wismer (1959–1963) Sonny Werblin (1963–1968) Leon Hess (1968–1999) Hess estate (1999–2000) Woody Johnson (2000–present)

The New York Jets are a professional American football team. They are based in the New York metropolitan area. The Jets play in the National Football League (NFL). They are part of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division.

The team plays its home games at MetLife Stadium. They share this stadium with the New York Giants. MetLife Stadium is located in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This is about 5 miles (8 km) west of New York City. The team's main office is in Florham Park, New Jersey.

The team started in 1959 as the Titans of New York. They were a founding member of the American Football League (AFL). The team joined the NFL in 1970 when the AFL and NFL merged. They began playing in 1960 at the Polo Grounds in Manhattan. In 1963, the team changed its name to the New York Jets. They moved to Shea Stadium in Queens in 1964. Then, in 1984, they moved to the Meadowlands Sports Complex in New Jersey.

The Jets reached the AFL playoffs for the first time in 1968. They went on to win Super Bowl III. They beat the Baltimore Colts. This made them the first AFL team to win a Super Bowl against an NFL team. However, the Jets have not returned to the Super Bowl since. They are one of only two NFL teams to win their only Super Bowl appearance. Since 1970, the Jets have won the AFC East division only twice. This happened in 1998 and 2002. They have made it to the playoffs 12 times. They reached the AFC Championship Game four times. Their most recent appearance was in 2010. The Jets have not been to the playoffs since then. They currently have the longest active playoff drought in the NFL.

The Jets' team colors are green and white. They have also used black as a third color. Their current uniforms are based on designs from 1978-89. They feature green helmets and a special "JETS" logo.

Team History

The American Football League (AFL) was formed on August 14, 1959. Harry Wismer was given a team for New York City. He named them the Titans of New York. Wismer said, "Titans are bigger and stronger than Giants." The team played at the old Polo Grounds stadium. They struggled financially and on the field for their first three years. In 1960 and 1961, coached by Sammy Baugh, the Titans had a 7–7 record each season. By 1962, Wismer was in debt. The AFL had to take over the team's costs.

Joe Namath playing quarterback for the Jets in Super Bowl III.

In 1963, a group led by Sonny Werblin bought the Titans for $1 million. Werblin renamed the team the New York Jets. This was because they would play near LaGuardia Airport. The name also rhymed with the New York Mets. The Jets hired Weeb Ewbank as their general manager and head coach. Ewbank and quarterback Joe Namath led the Jets to fame in 1969. They beat the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. This win showed that the AFL was a strong league.

After the AFL–NFL merger, the team had a tough time. Their star quarterback, Namath, had injuries. The Jets struggled until the 1980s. They made it to the 1982 AFC Championship Game. The team also had a famous defensive line called the New York Sack Exchange. Walt Michaels and Joe Walton coached the team during this time.

The early 1990s were difficult for the team. After a few coaching changes, Rich Kotite became head coach. Under him, the Jets had a very poor record of 4 wins and 28 losses over two years. Kotite then left the team.

In 1997, owner Leon Hess hired Bill Parcells as head coach. Parcells helped the team improve. They reached the AFC Championship Game in 1998. Hess passed away in 1999. The team had an 8-win season but missed the playoffs. Parcells then stepped down as head coach. His assistant, Bill Belichick, was supposed to take over. However, Belichick resigned the very next day. He then became the head coach of the Patriots.

Woody Johnson became the new owner in 2000. In the 2000s, the Jets made the playoffs five times. This was a team record. They were led by coaches Herm Edwards, Eric Mangini, and Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan was hired in January 2009. The Jets drafted quarterback Mark Sanchez that year. Ryan and Sanchez led the team to the AFC Championship Game in 2009 and 2010. However, they did not make the playoffs again during their time together. After a 4–12 season in 2014, Sanchez was released. Ryan and general manager John Idzik were also fired.

Todd Bowles became head coach before the 2015 season. He led the Jets to a 10–6 record. They finished second in their division but missed the playoffs. The Jets then had three losing seasons in a row from 2016 to 2018. Bowles was fired. The Jets drafted quarterback Sam Darnold in 2018. Adam Gase was hired as head coach in 2019. The team went 7–9 in 2019 and 2–14 in 2020. Gase was fired after the 2020 season.

In 2021, the Jets hired Robert Saleh as head coach. They drafted quarterback Zach Wilson. The team finished 4–13 in 2021. In 2022, they improved to 7–10. The 2023 season also ended with a 7–10 record. This season started with high hopes after signing Aaron Rodgers. But Rodgers suffered a serious injury early on. Rodgers was released by the Jets in February 2025. The 2024 season saw the Jets fire Saleh after a 2–3 start. Jeff Ulbrich finished the season as interim coach. The team ended with a 5–12 record. Aaron Glenn was named the new head coach after the 2024 season.

Championship Wins

AFL Championships

The Jets have won one AFL Championship.

Super Bowl Championships

The Jets have won one Super Bowl.

Division Championships

The Jets have won four division titles.

Team Ownership

Early Owners: Harry Wismer and Sonny Werblin

Harry Wismer was the first owner of the New York Titans. He was a sports broadcaster before owning the team. Wismer wanted to make the team and the AFL successful. However, the Titans struggled financially. In 1963, he sold the team for $1 million.

A group led by Sonny Werblin bought the team. Werblin was good at media and wanted to make the team famous. He changed the team's name to the Jets. He also signed Joe Namath to a huge contract. Namath became a big star and led the Jets to their Super Bowl win. Werblin later sold his share of the team in 1968. He then helped create the Meadowlands Sports Complex.

Leon Hess: A Dedicated Owner

Leon Hess was known for his Hess Corporation gas stations. He became a co-owner of the Jets and later the sole owner. Hess cared deeply about the team. He often pushed for improvements to their stadium. He usually let his coaches and general managers handle football decisions.

Hess became the main owner in 1973. He bought out his partners over time. By 1984, he had full control of the team. Hess took losses very hard. In 1995, he famously said, "I'm 80 years old, I want results now!" He hired Bill Parcells in 1997, hoping to see the Jets win another Super Bowl. Sadly, Hess passed away in 1999 before his dream came true.

Woody and Christopher Johnson

Johnson at a November 2008 game

In 2000, Woody Johnson bought the team for $635 million. His family founded Johnson & Johnson. Johnson was passionate about sports. Like Hess, he let his management team make most football decisions. However, he became more involved after hiring coach Rex Ryan.

In 2017, Woody Johnson became the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom. His brother, Christopher Johnson, took over running the team. This included making decisions about players. Woody Johnson returned to his ownership duties in 2021.

Home Stadiums

Shea Stadium, 1964

The Jets, then called the Titans, first played at the Polo Grounds. This stadium was old and not in great shape. The Titans played there for four seasons. They shared it with the new New York Mets baseball team for two years. The Jets played their last game at the Polo Grounds on December 14, 1963.

In 1964, the team moved to Shea Stadium in Queens. The Mets also moved there. The Jets often had to play their first few games of the season on the road. This was because the Mets had exclusive use of the stadium until their season ended. This was especially tough in 1969 and 1973 when the Mets had long playoff runs.

Because of these issues, the Jets decided to play some home games at Giants Stadium in New Jersey. This started in 1977. New York City sued the Jets over this. They settled, allowing the Jets to play two September home games at Shea each year.

Owner Leon Hess wanted to renew the lease at Shea. He asked New York City to improve the stadium. He also wanted the Jets to get money from parking. The city refused his requests. So, the Jets announced they would move to New Jersey. On December 10, 1983, the Jets played their last game at Shea. The scoreboard even read "N.J. Jets" as fans took souvenirs.

When the Jets moved to Giants Stadium, many fans hoped the name would change. But the Giants, who owned the stadium, said no. The Jets tried to make the stadium feel more like home. They put up green banners and covered the Giants' logo. But the blue and red seats remained.

An inside view of MetLife Stadium during the first-ever preseason matchup there between the Giants and Jets

The Jets wanted their own stadium. They tried to build one on the west side of Manhattan. The NFL even said New York could host the 2010 Super Bowl if the stadium was built. However, political leaders in New York refused to support the project.

So, the Jets teamed up with the Giants. They decided to build a new stadium together. This stadium, called MetLife Stadium, opened in April 2010. It was the first NFL stadium built jointly by two teams. The stadium lights up in different colors depending on which team is playing. The Jets played their first regular season home game there on September 13, 2010. MetLife Stadium hosted Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014.

Team Rivalries

AFC East Rivals

New England Patriots

The Jets and New England Patriots have a big rivalry. It became more intense in 1997 when coach Bill Parcells left the Patriots to join the Jets. The next year, the Jets signed star player Curtis Martin from the Patriots.

The rivalry grew even more in 2001. Jets player Mo Lewis tackled Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe. This injury allowed Tom Brady to become the starting quarterback. Brady then led the Patriots to many Super Bowl wins. In 2006, Eric Mangini, a former assistant to Patriots coach Bill Belichick, became the Jets' head coach. This added to the tension. When Rex Ryan became the Jets' coach, the rivalry became even more heated with lots of trash talk. In January 2011, the Jets beat the Patriots in a playoff game. As of the 2024 season, the Patriots have won more games in this rivalry.

Buffalo Bills

The Jets playing the Bills in the 1981 AFC wild card game.

The Jets and Bills are both from New York State. This rivalry shows the difference between New York City and Upstate New York. Both teams were original members of the AFL. They have usually been in the same division. The Jets won the first game between them.

There have been a few memorable moments. O. J. Simpson broke a rushing record against the Jets. They played one playoff game in 1981. Former Jets coach Rex Ryan even coached the Bills for two years. Recently, the rivalry has become more exciting. This is partly due to a friendly competition between quarterbacks Sam Darnold (Jets) and Josh Allen (Bills). As of the 2024 season, the Bills have won more games in this rivalry.

Miami Dolphins

The Jets have been rivals with the Miami Dolphins since 1966. One famous game was in 1994. The Dolphins used a trick play called the Fake Spike. This helped them win and hurt the Jets' chances that season. Another famous game was on October 23, 2000. It's known as The Monday Night Miracle. The Jets were losing 30–7 in the third quarter. They scored 23 points in a row and won in overtime!

When Rex Ryan became the Jets' coach, the rivalry got more intense. There was a lot of back-and-forth talk between the teams. As of the 2024 season, the Miami Dolphins have won more games in this rivalry.

New York Giants Rivalry

The Jets also have a rivalry with their local counterparts, the New York Giants. This rivalry used to be very intense. The first game between them was in 1969. It was seen as a "turf war." The Jets won 37–14.

In 1988, the Jets beat the Giants in the last game of the season. The Giants needed to win to make the playoffs. The Jets' defense sacked the Giants' quarterback eight times. The Jets' win knocked the Giants out of the playoffs. This earned the Jets a lot of respect.

Even though they are rivals, the two teams have worked together. They shared Giants Stadium for 26 years. Now, they share MetLife Stadium. Both teams own half of the stadium. The rivalry became very tense again in 2011. Both teams needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Giants won that game. The teams met again in 2015, with the Jets winning in overtime. The Jets also won in 2019 and 2023. As of the 2023 season, the Giants have won more games in this rivalry.

Team Logos and Uniforms

Cornerback Darrelle Revis wearing the New York Titans throwback uniform in 2008. This design combined the original shade of gold from 1960 with the 1961–62 striping modifications

When the team started as the Titans of New York in 1960, their uniforms were navy blue and old gold. In 1961, they added stripes to the shoulders.

In 1963, when they became the Jets, the colors changed to kelly green and white. The jerseys had sleeves with thick stripes. The helmets were white with a green stripe and a jet airplane logo. In 1964, the jet logo was replaced with a white football shape with "JETS" and "NY" inside. This design stayed mostly the same until 1977.

1968 game program showing the 1965–77 helmet and primary logo. The design was revived in 1998 with a darker green, an oval-shaped logo with clearer graphics, and a green facemask.

In 1978, the Jets changed their look. The helmets became solid green with white facemasks. They had a new "JETS" logo with a jet airplane shape. The jerseys had thick stripes on the sleeves. In 1990, black outlines were added to the numbers and logos. The facemasks became black.

The Jets were the first NFL team to wear a "throwback" uniform. This happened in 1993 to celebrate their 1968 championship. They wore uniforms similar to their 1963–77 design.

The team's uniform design used from 1998 to 2018, a modern version of its 1965–77 design.

In 1998, the Jets updated their uniforms again. They used a darker hunter green. The main logo became an oval shape. Green pants were added in 2002.

In 2007, the Jets brought back a "throwback" uniform from their Titans days. These were navy blue and old gold.

In 2019, the Jets changed their uniforms again. They used a medium green called "Gotham Green." Black was added back as a trim color. The helmets were green with a metallic finish. The jerseys had a "NEW YORK" wordmark on the chest. They also introduced a black alternate uniform. In 2022, a matte-black helmet was added for the black uniform.

In 2023, the Jets brought back a "legacy white" throwback uniform. This looked like their 1978–89 design. At the end of the 2023 season, they announced this would be their main uniform for 2024. Green and black versions were added. The 1978 "JETS" logo was slightly updated. The team also released a "Classic" white uniform based on older designs.

Cheerleading Squad

JetBlue honors the NY Jets with its green plane.

The Jets have a cheerleading squad called the Jets Flight Crew. It started in 2006 as the Jets Flag Crew. In 2007, it grew and was renamed. The squad performs routines at home games. New members are chosen each year.

The Jets Junior Flight Crew started in 2010. This program lets children train with the Flight Crew. It helps them improve their skills in a fun way.

Radio and Television

Map of radio affiliates

The Jets' main radio station is WAXQ. This station became the team's flagship in February 2024.

Bob Wischusen is the play-by-play announcer. He has been the voice of the Jets since 2002. Anthony Becht, a former Jets player, is the analyst. He took over in 2024.

Any preseason games not shown nationally are on WCBS-TV. SportsNet New York shows over 250 hours of special Jets content.

Monday Night Football games are shown on WABC-TV or WPIX-TV. Thursday Night Football games streamed by Amazon Prime are shown locally on WNYW.

Season Records

Here are the Jets' results for their last five completed seasons.

Note: The Finish, Wins, Losses, and Ties columns show regular season results only.

Famous Players

Pro Football Hall of Famers

QB Joe Namath, a Hall of Famer. His #12 jersey was retired by the Jets.

RB Curtis Martin (#28), a Hall of Famer

WR Don Maynard (#13), a Hall of Famer

Many former Jets players and coaches are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Some players are recognized for their time with the Jets, like Joe Namath and Curtis Martin. Others are in the Hall of Fame mainly for their achievements with other teams.

Retired Jersey Numbers

The Jets have retired several jersey numbers to honor special players and coaches.

The Jets have also not reissued the #80 jersey of Wayne Chrebet since 2005. It is understood that no one will wear it again. Similarly, #24 has not been reissued since Darrelle Revis left in 2016.

Ring of Honor

The Jets started a Ring of Honor in 2010. It celebrates former players. Each year, an internal committee chooses players to be added.

All-Time Four Decade Team

Wesley Walker (left) and Al Toon (right) were the Jets' primary wide receivers in the 1980s and rank among the best to play the position in franchise history.

RB Matt Snell

In 2003, the Jets announced their official All-Time Four Decade team. Fans of the team voted for these players. Bold means they are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Notable First-Round Draft Picks

One of the most famous Jets draft picks was quarterback Joe Namath in 1965. He was known for his exciting personality. Namath helped the Jets win Super Bowl III. Even though injuries affected his later career, he is remembered as a player who changed the game. Namath was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.

The Jets have also had some draft picks who did not perform as well as expected. For example, running back Blair Thomas was drafted second overall in 1990. He was expected to be a star but only rushed for 2,009 yards in three seasons. Vernon Gholston, drafted in 2008, did not record a single sack in his three years with the team.

Other players who were disappointing draft picks include Kyle Brady (1995) and Dewayne Robertson (2003). Quarterback Richard Todd (1976) threw more interceptions than touchdowns with the Jets. In the 1982 AFC Championship Game, Todd threw five interceptions, and the Jets lost. Dee Milliner, drafted in 2013, had a short career due to injuries.

However, the Jets have also drafted great players. In 2011, they drafted Muhammad Wilkerson, and in 2013, Sheldon Richardson. These defensive linemen were very strong. Wilkerson had 10.5 sacks in 2013. Richardson won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2013. Their strong play helped the Jets' run defense.

In the 2017 NFL draft, the Jets picked Jamal Adams. He quickly became a Pro Bowl player. He even won the Defensive MVP Award in the 2018 season.

In the 2019 NFL draft, the Jets selected Quinnen Williams. He was considered one of the best players in the draft. Williams had a strong 2020 season with 7 sacks.

In the 2022 NFL draft, the Jets had three first-round picks. They drafted cornerback Sauce Gardner, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, and defensive end Jermaine Johnson II. Gardner was named to the All-Pro Team as a rookie, which is a big achievement.

Coaches and Staff

Head Coaches

The Jets have had 21 head coaches in their history. 18 of them have served in a full-time role.

See also

In Spanish: New York Jets para niños