One Town, Two Teams. Who Owns NY?

Dec 24, 2011; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan greets New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs (27) after the game at Met Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE

New York has had two football teams for quite a while now. It started with the NY football Giants in 1925, with 8 championships, 4 of which are Superbowls, and countless memories. NY has been a Giants town. The Giants have always been a top notch organization that embodied what the NFL was supposed to be. They have been run with class and unselfishness since the organization was founded by Tim Mara.  The NFL is partially what it is today due in large part to Wellington Mara’s foresight and wanting the league to succeed. Their history includes some of the greatest players to wear a uniform, and some of the greatest games to be played in the NFL. What’s not to love about this storied franchise?

With the emergence of the NY Titans/ NY Jets in 1959 (became Jets in 1963) the city now had two football teams. But the town was anything but divided. The Jets did have early success with a win in SuperBowl III over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts, it was short lived and the Jets have not had so much of a whiff of the Lombardi Trophy since. They have always been the “other” team in this city and have for the most part been the exact opposite of their big brother.  It seems to have gotten worse as of late with the hiring of Mr T and Buddy’s son. If a teams greatness was measured by the boldness and bravado the Jets would be the best team the league has ever seen. But it’s not, and sometimes we have to scratch our heads at the circus on their side of MetLife Stadium. With the way they act you would think they have more Titles than the NY Yankees. Unfortunately they have not won a thing since 1969, and sorry to say, with the way that team has been run it is not looking good for the future either.

So with one team celebrating with another championship ring today, and one team running a three ring circus, I ask who still owns this town?  All the trash talk, cussing and more black curtains will not get Rex a foot up on the NY Football Giants. The Jets have the fans and the place to fit in here. But always remember, NY is a Giant town! And always will be.