National Football League

Report: Jets tried, failed to convince famed fan 'Fireman Ed' to return

Published Aug. 16, 2014 7:20 p.m. ET

foxsports

New York Jets superfan Ed Anzalone retired from his “Fireman Ed” persona two years ago amid the team’s struggles on the field.

The Jets, who are desperate to put some energy back into a lifeless MetLife Stadium, reportedly tried to get Anzalone to return to his old routine.

“Originally, they called me to see if I would come back to what I had done. They took me out to lunch to see if I had any interest in coming back,” Anzalone told Yahoo! Sports. “I said no because it was the same problem, I couldn’t take my kids to the game. I told them I wouldn’t come back.”

Anzalone is a retired New York City firefighter who led the famed “J-E-T-S” chants at home games and even during some road playoff games. As the team continued to experience quarterback issues and a subsequent poor win-loss record, Anzalone gave up being Fireman Ed.

“I told (the Jets) they should do something and try to get a young guy. I don’t want to see it go away.”

New York took Anzalone’s advice and is holding a contest to see who will be the next person to lead the chants at games. In the end, Anzalone said he still loves the Jets and wants to see his old rally cry live on.

“I want this chant back because it’s the best in all of professional sports,” Anzalone said.

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