First off let me state that my dad has the worst luck out of anyone...to fill you in he gambles with a bookie every year because he thinks he knows sports so well and ends up doing terrible. Last years NCAA Tournament he took the 2 days off for the first round and lost 12 bets in a row...and the only thing that broke his losing streak was a push in the 13th game. So let's rewind to 1999. I'm 10 years old and had been to a few Jets game but was excited as hell when I learned this: My dad (a USPS employee) was chosen out of everyone in the area to represent the United States Postal Service (they must have sponsored the game or something) and hand out the game ball at the 1999 season opener at Giants Stadium, Jets v. Patriots. So I remember being on the field and was just star stuck and taking pictures of everything I could see..and missed when my dad gave the ball to the ref (which he STILL gives me shit about...every weekend when we see the ref...it was the one who did the Ravens/Steelers today) So pretty much he touched the ball..gave it to the ref..the ref gave put it out onto the field of play...Vinny touched it...and Vinny went down. I remember looking to my dad and saying "you cursed us." Well that's my story, had to kill some time so I figured I'd share it after I saw Vinny's injury mentioned in another thread. PS: I haven't let my dad take me to a Jets game since.
nice one..... my story about the 99 opener goes like this - i pull into my driveway at 1:10PM - a bit late for game time - due to a sunday morning church affair and i was bitchin as i pulled in and said...... " i have a bad feeling about today". "why" my wife said. and i replied "not sure, maybe its cause we are late for game time"....... run into the house, kick the dog out of the way, flip on CBS, and see the jets moving the ball just liked they moved it in 98 and saying to myself OK here we go and then bamm. about 1:45 pm VT collapsed like he was shot in the leg and season over. jil
My story is this: Had the biggest Jets fans I know over the house for the game... Now we all know Jets fans are crazy and we all know we have one buddy or two who is the "Over the top Crazy" Jets fan - I used to be that guy BTW back in college but, I'm a little better now... Anyway - Over the top Jets fan was already loud, obnoxious and negative going in... Vinny goes down and the guy needs to be restrained - His wife helps but, he breaks free and needs to go for a walk - Season over according to him - He walk the streets near my house for about a half hour and at some point I had to open the door and yell "Leon Johnson just went down too".... It's people like this and Joe Bengingo that make you stop and think and laugh though....
Ha, my story is somewhat similar. I missed almost the entire first half due to church. Got home and the first play I saw was the Tupa TD to Keyshawn. I'm half thinking, "Woo hoo, touchdown!" and half thinking, "Why the hell his Tom Tupa playing QB?" Went to the kitchen to get a drink and when I came back in my buddy is telling me Vinny is out for the season. I thought he was BS'ing me until I saw the replay for myself. I'm pretty sure I shed a tear. :sad:
I remember the 1999 preseason where Parcells was frantically looking for a backup QB. I remember saying to myself "Why is a backup so important? It's not like he's going to play much." I found out why a month later. We should have picked up Zolak instead. Heh.
