Jenn Sterger Talks Football

Jets' Girl Tackles Gridiron


Authored by Andrew Perna - 18th January, 2009 - 1:08 pmCurrent Featured Columns
Championship Weekend Forecast

Jenn Sterger, yes, she of Florida State fame, talked football on the sidelines for the Jets all season long. Unfortunately for some New York fans, both their team and leading lady have been absent in the NFL's postseason.

While beauties like Jessica Simpson and Gisele Bundchen are famous in football circles for who they are dating, Sterger probably knows more about the pigskin than most of the men that enjoyed watching her discuss 'Gang Green' in 2008.

With the season over for the Jets, Jenn gets asked more about her social life and wardrobe than anything sports-related. Whether it's with the Jets or not, she won't have a hard time landing somewhere in the near future, her knowledge is just as sharp as her fashion sense.

Andrew: How did sports become such a huge part of your life?

Jenn: I think it all relates back to the fact both my parents were huge sports fans. My mom was the natural born athlete, and my dad, like the typical man, was the die-hard fan. I remember being taken to sporting events back when I was barely old enough to walk. My parents raised me on the "U" (University of Miami) and the old school creamsicle Buccaneers. My first baseball game was at Braves-Giants game at Candlestick Park on a family vacation out to the West Coast. For as long as I can remember my parents always instilled sports in my upbringing, and above all else, they taught me to be a good fan. I never really had an athletic talent until later in my teens, but it didn't stop me from having a general passion for just learning all there was to know about sports.

You've spent time in Florida, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Where do your fan allegiances lie?

As far as fan allegiances go, I still stick to all my Florida teams. College sports, namely the Seminoles, are still my first love, but up here in Jersey they might as well be obsolete, aside from the occasional Rutgers football fan, or Seton Hall basketball fan. Pro sports are just so much more dominant in the Northeast. I still follow all my Tampa pro teams ... the Bucs, the Lightning, and the Rays. In fact, I was Rays before being Rays was cool. When I wear my 'TB' Rays hat up here in Hoboken, I'm constantly mocked in the streets and sports bars. Insert the "band wagoner" references, or people telling me my team was just a lucky farm team, when in reality they were a smart franchise that finally got the team chemistry clicking and fell just short in the end. I don't think last season was a fluke at all, so I certainly won't be swayed and pulled into New York baseball politics. I refuse to pick sides up here when it comes to baseball: Yankees fans are irrational and Mets fans are delusional [laughs]. So for now, I'll just stick to my boys from the bay. And of course, we all know where my football allegiances lie in the Tri-state area. Besides, I like how I look in green.

New Jersey, well ... it's a far cry from sunny Florida ... how did you cope?

I just do it day by day. I'm far from adjusted and it shows. I honestly don't know how these people leave their warm beds sometimes. When I look out my window in the morning and there is snow falling everywhere, those are the days I grab a warm bowl of oatmeal, turn around, and head back to bed. I'm like a groundhog; I'll pop up, look around and say ... "Yep, six more weeks of winter." Thankfully there weren't too many bad weather games at the Meadowlands this year. I can only remember one game where I was absolutely miserable from the cold and the rain.

As far as the natives go, I am still getting used to the cultural shock up here. I've met people in NYC that are abrupt, have their own agendas, and it seems were raised with a totally different set of values and beliefs than I was in the South. This isn't to say that they aren't good people; they are just a stark contrast from the Southern hospitality I am used to. In the South, you bump into someone? You say "Sorry." Someone does you a favor? You thank them. "Please" and "thank you" are extinct in these parts. Maybe it's just me, but I will never be too busy to tell someone they are appreciated, it's just how my parents raised me.

What do you hope comes out of all the attention you?ve gotten ? journalist gig? Acting career? Just a thrill ride?

I take every opportunity that comes on a case by case basis. I enjoy most all sports, and I can't imagine my life not involving them, whether it be professional or recreational. Recently I have had my share of auditions and offers more in the entertainment realm, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intrigued. There are only so many sideline reporting gigs, and positions reserved for female correspondents, so it only seems rational to explore alternative opportunities as they present themselves.

OK, I have to ask ... how many marriage proposals have you gotten from Jets' fans?

[Laughs] I lost count after preseason. Jets fans have been pretty hospitable to me, all things considered. New York sports fans are an entirely different breed of fan. They are devoutly loyal, but are certainly not opposed to showing discontent when they see things that are not as they should be. I wouldn't say they are ungrateful, more that they have come to expect a certain level of performance and even pageantry surrounding sports and sports media. The Jets media department was trying something new, and so we've had our fair share of trial and errors, learning what works and what doesn't. All and all though, I think we had put together a really great program by the end of the season, something entertaining but nothing that took away from the sporting experience itself. My only hope is that we continue to make those kinds of strides next year.

You've accomplished a lot of great things since Brent Musburger spotted you on the sidelines, what is your favorite memory thus far?

I think one of my favorite memories thus far goes back to the second time I wore the cowboy hat to a Florida State game. I remember walking into Doak Campbell, in my cowboy boots and cowboy hat, and actually have a man and his son stop me in the tailgate lot ... and ask if I was Jenn. I stopped, absolutely stunned that they knew my name. And from that point on, I've always been amazed how often I get recognized, even without the cowboy hat. That and signing my first autograph. Until then, I had never really even paid attention to how I signed my name. That was really cool too.

Gratuitous Link

 

Did you get a chance to speak with Brett Favre often this season?

Not really. Aside from interviews, I really had limited contact from most of the players. Though, I did get to meet a lot of them at various charity functions the Jets were a part of. My favorite guy on the team by far ... has got to be Kris Jenkins. He always made a point to speak to me by name, and make me laugh in warm ups or in the tunnel. Kris is an absolute riot!! I told him I want to hire him in the off season as a bodyguard.

In your opinion, did Coach Eric Mangini deserve to get fired?

It's always tough in situations like these. You take a team from 4 wins, to being a 9-7 playoff contender, and some people think that's not good enough. New York is a tough sports town; just ask Joe Torre or Willie Randolph. Sometimes people get fired for underlying reasons that no one except those deeply involved in the organization can understand. Sometimes, it's just to shake things up, to light a fire under people. Sometimes it's a difference of opinions and beliefs in the way the organization should be run. At the end of the day, no one person is responsible for a team's lackluster performance. They are a team, so the blame lies with each and every contributor. But at the same time, every team has a leader, and some one has to take responsibility when demands of the fans and the organization are not being met. I'm pretty indifferent about the whole thing, having not really had much interaction with Mangini. But I do know he's a pretty stand up citizen, and I'm sure he’ll make a huge impact in Cleveland.

Having been around the team, what do you make of all the attention the "divided" locker room has gotten since they stumbled down the stretch?

No one ever wants there to be dissension among the ranks. I think it all boils down to people not stepping up and taking their leadership roles seriously. It's all about accountability. And maybe if there were a lot less finger pointing and more communication things could have ended differently. [Owner] Woody Johnson and the Jets front office brought in very talented players, but often with talent comes egos and differences in personalities, just like any other work environment. When the team becomes more about individuals, and less about the joint effort, there is no way you can reach your goal.

Do you think Favre will return, or retire?

You know ... we can all sit here and speculate whether or not this was Favre's last season, but he is the only one that can really make that call. Football is a tough sport and it definitely takes it toll on the body. And it's really up to him, his doctors, and his trainers to decide whether his is capable of handling another season. If it were up to his heart, I think the man would play football until he was in the ground. He is just that passionate about the game. But whether or not his body is capable of handling it is an entirely different story.

Will you return, or move on?

I have really enjoyed my time with the Jets this past season. If my schedule permits and they have a place for me, then by all means, I would love to be back for Round Two.

What do the Jets need to improve on this offseason?

Like every team, they'll take a look at every area of the team and see where they can improve. Last year's focus on the line (both sides) really paid off and I'm sure the new coach will push the direction, no matter who they choose. Obviously, the quarterback position is something they'll have to look at not only for 2009, but also long term, as well as making sure that the changing salary cap rules don't affect the team's ability to make the changes.

I know you love the Jets, but if you could work for one team other than 'Gang Green' who would it be?

I don't know that I would want to work for another team, just preferably in a warmer climate [laughs].

Who do you like in this weekend's Conference Championship Games: Eagles or Cardinals? Ravens or Steelers?

I'm taking the Eagles. Football Prospectus had them picked as the best team all season long, no one listened. Who's laughing now?

Ravens-Steelers will be much closer, but I think the Steelers will pull this one out.

Result: Eagles-Steelers in Tampa. Hell, we might as well put the entire state of Pennsylvania down there while they're at it. I'm sure they won't be complaining about the change in weather.

OK, what's your Super Bowl prediction?

Eagles. The City of Philadelphia will implode. World Series Champs ... and Super Bowl champs? I would board up my house and get out of dodge 'til the riots die down.


Gratuitous Link

 

Thanks for giving the 1st repliable post

You know what's funny. The football talk is actually pretty good. Sad that we have guys who can't read articles from a female without a fukin boner.

Being on the Sidelines, She has probably seen more insider shit from our JETS this year than we'd ever hope to get from the media pricks but no, guys don't care, they want pix.

Fukin pathetic

 

I can agree with that but I've read worse from "Experts".

Truly shows you're take on women.
Thanx for showing that side of you. I'm sure everything you post from here on in will be taken extremly serious.

Also shows you're idiocy on someone who is closer to the JETS situtaion than you'll ever be.

 

Nice attempt to back track using the "internet sarcasm" bullshit but uhhh NO.
There was no sarcasm.
You sounded like a juvenile idiot and got called on it.

and I'm the pathetic one? Bwah!!!! truly enlightening. Thank you.