Sunday Stadium Review - Jets

New York Jets 

*I have attended games at two different stadiums for the Jets.*

Name of Stadium: Giants Stadium/The Meadowlands AND MetLife Stadium/The New Meadowlands

Capacity: 80,242 AND 82,566

Game Attended: At the old stadium, I worked every home game but one in 2007 with my family attending the last game of that season.  I also attended the last Jets game (versus Bengals) in the old stadium with my friend, Reba, at the end of the 2009 season.  I have attended a couple of Jets games with Christopher in the new stadium - Thanksgiving 2010 (versus Bengals) as well as a game versus the Jaguars in 2011.

Worked a game at this stadium? Yes, I worked pre-game and at halftime of nearly every game in 2007.  I have never worked at the new stadium.

The Meadowlands/Giants Stadium - Jets style :)

When I first moved to NYC way back in 2007, I didn't have a job.  You can read a little more about that here.  Fortunately, I did have some connections and an opportunity to work game day for the Jets popped up while I was looking for full time employment.  Not a bad gig...although I can't say I made much profit by the time I trudged all the way out to New Jersey!  Anyway, this opportunity permited me to work all but one of the Jets home games that year.  I started out working with the pre-game and halftime crew.  We made sure all the fun and interactive gadgets were set up in the bubble (pictured to the right in the above photo) for pre-game fun and that the halftime sponsor signage was properly placed for optimal viewing.  Nothing glamourous, but definitely fun!  Once I snagged the full-time position at the NFL headquarters in mid-September, they moved me to the green room to greet and entertain anthem performers and celebrities. 


Green Room circa 2007

We had Boyz to Men (so nice and considerate) and Jennifer Hudson (super high maintenance) in to perform the anthem.  Dan Rather, Eddie Kaye Thomas (AKA Finch from the American Pie movies), and Joe Namath were among the celebrities that I recall hosting in the green room pre-game.  This was a fun job, but it was really hard to not be super excited about being in the same somewhat small space with these people!

My family came to NYC for the holidays that year and managed to catch the last Jets game of the season.  It was super cold so we had some fun with the "hot cups" sold by vendors.  In my best New York accent, "Get your hot cup, here!"  Maybe you just had to be there!

Mom and Dad....

Jordan and Jen...

Little Bubsa...too funny!!

As far as the stadium, I thought it was pretty easy to get around.  I wasn't in the stands too much back then, but the field level was easy to navigate.  I was a true spectator there a few times...thanks to my friend, Reba!  Yes, the same girl that made me peanut butter from scratch can kick it at the football game...gotta love that in a friend!!  (PS - If you haven't already, go check her out at Not So Perfect Life.)  Her boss had great seats in the lower level and from time to time we were able to go.  Awesome, right?  She tried to bring me along when the Bengals were playing which was awesome. 

View of interior from field level

Great view of the inside of the old stadium

Fun Fact #1: Reba and I were able to attend the last game ever played in the old Giants Stadium.

Fun Fact #2: The last game ever played in the old Giants Stadium was a Jets game.

Fun Fact #3: Chris was also in attendance at that game.  We didn't meet until that April, but we were both there on that FREEZING cold January night when the Jets defeated the Bengals to earn their way into the playoffs. 

Fun Fact #4: Chris and I watched a recording of the wild card Jets-Bengals game on our second date.  Yes, they played each other two weeks in a row.  And yes, I wasn't watching the playoff game...but for a good reason - I was swimming with dolphins in Hawaii when it aired originally.  Luckily, Chris was able to help me watch the Jets beat my Bengals once again!  That's true love folks!  Haha :)

Now, let's talk about the new stadium.  As I mentioned in my Giants review a few weeks ago, I'm not really a fan.  There is something about the way it is designed that just doesn't appeal to me. I also haven't ever really noticed a difference in the fan base between Giants and Jets games.  Both are extremely proud and can be overwhelmingly harsh, but hey, that's New York.  If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere!  I've been to three Jets games at MetLife.  Two regular season and one in a monsoon during the preseason...all with Chris.  I was in the nosebleeds for one of those games.  Way too steep.  The pictures say it all.

 

Pretty much eye level with the sun....super high up in the air!!

The other two times we were in the lower bowl (again, big thanks to Reba's former boss!!).  We were excited about the pre-season game because it would be warm and nice out.  We didn't count on a monsoon hitting just before kickoff.  We didn't stay long, but I managed to get a picture of us in the concourse trying to wait out the rain! 

Luckily, we were able to see our two teams play in the regular season as well.  It was much more dry, but a lot colder on this lovely Thanksgiving night in 2010.  It was a lot of fun because it was the first time since we had begun dating that our teams were playing one another..at least when it counted for something.  We really enjoyed the game! 

This one shows a really good view of all three levels of the stadium.



Thanksgiving 2010

I hope you have enjoyed my Sunday Stadium Reviews.  I wanted to record these experience since they were all a part of my bucket list item of attending a home game at each of the NFL stadiums.  I have 11 remaining stadiums to attend.  I'll review those as I attend more games in the future.  For now, hop over to my Bucket List tab to check out all of the reviews. 

Andrea :)