Fireman Ed
Encyclopedia
Edwin M. Anzalone better known as Fireman Ed, is an enthusiastic fan of the New York Jets
since 1986, although he was a fan of the Miami Dolphins until the age of 10. One of the most well known National Football League
fans, he rose to prominence by appearing on the Boomer and Craig Carton radio show on WFAN. He was the originator of the famous chant, "J-E-T-S, Jets!, Jets!, Jets!" though some dispute this, claiming that he merely leads the chant and that it originated elsewhere.
An actual New York City firefighter
, Fireman Ed was injured on the job in 2007.
Anzalone wears Bruce Harper
's jersey to games and has been leading the J-E-T-S chant from Section 134 of the Meadowlands
since 1986. He used to be hoisted up on the shoulders of his brother Frank, then later by Bruce Gregor after Frank developed knee problems. In 1999, Fireman Ed was included in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
as part of the Hall of Fans.
On September 25, 2009, Fireman Ed was given a game ball from the Jets Week 2 victory over the New England Patriots. On December 30, 2009, Cincinnati Bengals
wide receiver Chad Ochocinco claimed he would imitate Fireman Ed if he scores a touchdown in his next game against the Jets, on January 3, 2010. The day after the Bengals' loss in Week 17, Chad Ochocinco got in contact with Fireman Ed through Twitter and provided him with a VIP package for the Jets first round playoff game at Cincinnati, as a way to make up for the "trash-talking" that occurred before the game. Though he was appreciative of the offer he declined, on the moral ground that he did not think it was right to be flown out to the game by the opposing team. He did however say that if the Jets made him an offer he would take them up on it, though no offer was made.
On August 16, 2010, during a Monday Night Football
Giants vs Jets pre-season game, Fireman Ed's inaugural Jets chant in the New Meadowlands Stadium
was interrupted by a Giants
fan who raised his Giants hat while Fireman Ed's fellow Jets fans stood by. Fireman Ed repeatedly shoved the fan before the fan was escorted away from Ed's chanting post. The Giants fan was later removed from the game. Fireman Ed was charged with simple assault for the incident, but the charges were later dropped.
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
since 1986, although he was a fan of the Miami Dolphins until the age of 10. One of the most well known National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
fans, he rose to prominence by appearing on the Boomer and Craig Carton radio show on WFAN. He was the originator of the famous chant, "J-E-T-S, Jets!, Jets!, Jets!" though some dispute this, claiming that he merely leads the chant and that it originated elsewhere.
An actual New York City firefighter
New York City Fire Department
The New York City Fire Department or the Fire Department of the City of New York has the responsibility for protecting the citizens and property of New York City's five boroughs from fires and fire hazards, providing emergency medical services, technical rescue as well as providing first response...
, Fireman Ed was injured on the job in 2007.
Anzalone wears Bruce Harper
Bruce Harper
Bruce Harper was an American football running back and kick returner for the New York Jets of the NFL. He was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Kutztown by the Jets in 1977. Bruce Harper is the all-time kick returner in New York Jets history with 5407 yards in kickoff returns...
's jersey to games and has been leading the J-E-T-S chant from Section 134 of the Meadowlands
Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
since 1986. He used to be hoisted up on the shoulders of his brother Frank, then later by Bruce Gregor after Frank developed knee problems. In 1999, Fireman Ed was included in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
as part of the Hall of Fans.
On September 25, 2009, Fireman Ed was given a game ball from the Jets Week 2 victory over the New England Patriots. On December 30, 2009, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
wide receiver Chad Ochocinco claimed he would imitate Fireman Ed if he scores a touchdown in his next game against the Jets, on January 3, 2010. The day after the Bengals' loss in Week 17, Chad Ochocinco got in contact with Fireman Ed through Twitter and provided him with a VIP package for the Jets first round playoff game at Cincinnati, as a way to make up for the "trash-talking" that occurred before the game. Though he was appreciative of the offer he declined, on the moral ground that he did not think it was right to be flown out to the game by the opposing team. He did however say that if the Jets made him an offer he would take them up on it, though no offer was made.
On August 16, 2010, during a Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
Giants vs Jets pre-season game, Fireman Ed's inaugural Jets chant in the New Meadowlands Stadium
New Meadowlands Stadium
MetLife Stadium is a stadium in the New York City Metropolitan Area, part of the MetLife Sports Complex, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League and is adjacent to the site of the former Giants Stadium, which was home...
was interrupted by a Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
fan who raised his Giants hat while Fireman Ed's fellow Jets fans stood by. Fireman Ed repeatedly shoved the fan before the fan was escorted away from Ed's chanting post. The Giants fan was later removed from the game. Fireman Ed was charged with simple assault for the incident, but the charges were later dropped.
See also
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