Johnson's Letter to NFL on Schedule Conflict
Published: Thu, April 16, 2009 - 4:17pm ET
By Randy Lange
Lange is editor-in-chief of newyorkjets.com. He covered the Jets for 13 years for The Record of Hackensack, N.J.
File Under: Roger Goodell, Woody Johnson, Tennessee Titans, Yom Kippur
04/16 — The Jets have formalized their request to the NFL regarding the team's schedule, announced Tuesday night, to move the kickoff of the Jets' Sept. 27 home game against Tennessee from 4:15 p.m. to 1 p.m. to avoid conflict with the Jewish observance of Yom Kippur.
The club has been in behind-the-scenes communications with the league office for the past two days. Today, Woody Johnson, the Jets chairman and CEO, sent a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
"I understand the challenges and complexities associated with creating the NFL schedule each year," Johnson said in his letter. "However, I am extremely disappointed with the League's decision to schedule us to play at home on consecutive Sundays that are in direct conflict with the Jewish High Holy Days. There has long been an understanding that neither the Jets nor the Giants fans should have to bear completely the brunt of this issue since we are in the largest Jewish market in the country."
The Jets owner explained that the club feels the best solution is to change the time of the Titans game. "This would give our Jewish fans the opportunity to arrive at home before sundown for Yom Kippur," he said.
"Those who suffer most are our fans," Johnson concluded. "The NFL has been the leading proponent of improving the fans' gameday experience. I feel making this change will further that goal."
Fans Respond
Here's your chance to tell Randy what you think! Add a Comment | Hide All Show All (31)scjoe Said:
Thu, April 16, 2009 - 4:39pm ET"It is the right thing to do, move the game up to a 1:00pm start where it should have been to begin with. There is so much time between now and then that it shouldn't be a major problem with the league."
veggie Said:
Thu, April 16, 2009 - 5:41pm ET"huh??? are u for real???????????? woody theres more things to worry about like giving leon washington some cash, dudes crazy............"
s silfen Said:
Thu, April 16, 2009 - 7:03pm ET"should have come down to this if your office staff did thier homeowork. The giant's office staff did it right and as usual the Jets screw it up "
Richard H Said:
Thu, April 16, 2009 - 7:13pm ET"Thank you Mr. Johnson!! I would also recommend New York Jets fans to also write individual letters to the NFL office so they understand the magnitude and impact of these two consecutive kick off times on the significant Jewish community that supports the New York Jets. The NFL address is: Mr. Roger Goodell Commissioner National Football League 280 Park Avenue New York, NY 10017 "
Row Said:
Thu, April 16, 2009 - 7:18pm ET"I think it's best the league shows impartiality. It's a crock how they (NFL) could pretend they didn't know about the holiday. If our times are adjusted, NYG's should be also."
Ira Said:
Thu, April 16, 2009 - 7:42pm ET"Woody did the right thing. Hopefully, these types of things can be avoided in the future. The last time the Jets played at home on the afternnon leading up to the start of Yom Kippur was back in 96 vs the Giants and it was a 1pm start. Also back in 99 the Jets played a Sunday Night Game @ Buffalo at the same time of the start of Yom Kippur. Thank You Woody. And shame on the NFL."
jkjets12 Said:
Thu, April 16, 2009 - 8:54pm ET"Couldn't they make the game on a different day altogether? Or 2nd prize would be switching the games, I'd much rather watch us play NE than Tennessee."
jets chai Said:
Thu, April 16, 2009 - 11:37pm ET"how did this happen in the first place?"
Phil Levy Said:
Fri, April 17, 2009 - 8:51am ET"Thank you Woody. It a shame that the NFL didin't have the sense to realize that this would impact the Jewish Jets fans.Hopefully this can be rectified quickly."
harry-o Said:
Fri, April 17, 2009 - 10:53am ET"last time I checked, any religious holy day extends past NYC it would be nice to accomodate all NFL fans effected but not nessesary, its a religious obligation not a NFL obligation"
russ Said:
Fri, April 17, 2009 - 11:14am ET"Change the game to 1 and everybody is happy including me because 4 oclcok games suck!!! And TV doesnt call the tune without football they would have infomercials... DECLNED; VULGARITY (SUCK)"
Frank Said:
Fri, April 17, 2009 - 11:49am ET"Agree 100 % skibba. Religion has no place in sports and it appears the whiners are out in full force. If god forbids us from watching football then i will be the first to become an atheist. Lighten up people and enjoy life. We'll all have enough time to suffer later."
Jim 40 yr. season ticket holder Said:
Fri, April 17, 2009 - 11:59am ET"I am a 40 year season ticket holder and of the Jewish faith. If any ticket holders cannot make it to the game those are the breaks. Now having said that the J-E-T-S are a total screw up. It just boggles the mind how dysfunctional this franchise is"
Stuart Bass Said:
Fri, April 17, 2009 - 12:36pm ET"I wonder how NY fans would react if the Jets played on Christmas Day?"
Mike Said:
Fri, April 17, 2009 - 12:39pm ET"Why would anyone have the gall to expect the rest of the world to accommodate their particular religion? If you have a superstition that you have to be home before a certain time, then don't plan to do things that would prevent that. Are we just going to accommodate Christianity and Judaism, or do all religions get a turn? What about Islam, or Scientology, or Wicca or Paganism?"
AL Said:
Fri, April 17, 2009 - 12:42pm ET"HOW COME THE GIANTS HAD THE SENSE TO PUT IN A REQUEST TO AVOID THE JEWISH HOLIDAYS , AND THE JETS DIDN'T. ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF WOODY NOT THINKING ABOUT THE PAYING PUBLIC"
Ken Y. Said:
Fri, April 17, 2009 - 1:39pm ET"I don't see what the big deal is nobody complains when sports is played on Chirstmas day or on Easter Sunday."
ken Said:
Fri, April 17, 2009 - 2:18pm ET"When you buy season tickets you are not aware of the schedules and possible conflicts. The JETS fuck their fans every which way they can. DECLINED: OBSCENITY (FUCK)"
Heather Czerniak Said:
Fri, April 17, 2009 - 2:25pm ET"ATTENTION ALL IDIOT SPORTS FANS: Read the story! The request to change the game schedule was NOT made by Jews. It was made by Jets owner Woody Johnson, who is NOT Jewish. No one in the Jewish community urged him to make the request. He made it on his own. This story is all over the Internet. Jews are being bashed left and right and they have nothing to do with it. Lay off the anti-Semitism!"
Josh McFickelstien Said:
Fri, April 17, 2009 - 3:14pm ET"Hey Heather, Its not anti semitism just because the Jewish Jet fans want to have it their way, and the NFL wont accomodate them and their religion! What about all the OTHER religions?? This aint burger king, you cant have it your way. IF YOU CANT MAKE IT TO THE GAME SELL THE TICKETS AND LET THE CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS, AGNOSTICS, AND MORMONS HAVE THE LUXURY BOXES!! GO JETS"
irish jets fan Said:
Fri, April 17, 2009 - 3:28pm ET"This is in response to heathers comment,whats up with calling people idiot sports fans?who cares who made the reqest woody or seinfeld the point is this is football american football .and calling people anti semetic?thats the most absurd comment ever.look up what anti semetic is and it has nothing to do with what your whining about.HEATHER HOW ARROGANT TO CALL PEOPLE IDIOTS "
Rocco from NY Said:
Fri, April 17, 2009 - 3:34pm ET"Is it that really big of a deal ? Come on now. The NY Jets have bigger problems. For Ex. who is going 2 be our next QB? "
bernice kuntzman Said:
Fri, April 17, 2009 - 4:42pm ET"Thanks for your help Mr Johnson. Some of these other comments are from people who know nothing about the Jewish religion and how important it is to change the time to 1:00PM thanks"
Longtime Jet Fan Said:
Fri, April 17, 2009 - 5:09pm ET"If any person (Woody, in our case) or people feel that completely avoidable decisions get made that adversely affect a person or a group of people (here, Jewish fans), they have a right to be upset and can request a change. There are a lot of Jewish NFL fans in the NY area,many of whom are season ticket holders, whose religious observances prevent them from being able to attend or watch that game."
Scott Howard Said:
Fri, April 17, 2009 - 5:22pm ET"In NY this is a big deal. The NFL had the request in advance and ignored it. All they had to do is make the game at 1PM. I believe they honored a similar request from the Giants for another holiday. The jets are always treated like the "stepchild.""
veggie Said:
Fri, April 17, 2009 - 6:30pm ET"this is the craziest thing that really needs more publicity,how can a religous group who cares what group have the power to alter the nfl schedule.well i guess christmas games shouldnt be played anymore. football and religion dont mix , and why cant people of jewish faith just celebrate their holy day and not go to the game,isnt that what your god wants "
Anonymous Said:
Fri, April 17, 2009 - 11:37pm ET"To address Heather's comment that "idiot sports fans" are antisemitic and that Jews are getting bashed is nonsense. It's playing the victim for dramatic effect. The point that people are making is that nobody's religion should have anything to do with something like a football schedule. People like to bring up "freedom of religion." What about freedom FROM religion?"
serge Said:
Sat, April 18, 2009 - 4:46am ET"come on guys pls stop all the bickering about the timechange.Personally I don't care if the jets beats the titans @ 3:45 or @ 6:45 just as long as we wind up with the W. Beat the titans two years in a row that all that matters. Its not like the game is next week. So let the JEWS enjoy the game then celebrate their holy day. Go Jets Nation"
chris Said:
Sat, April 18, 2009 - 10:09pm ET"I guess we'll see if God loves the J E T S Jets Jets Jets"
Tadd Schwab Said:
Tue, April 21, 2009 - 11:18am ET"Thanks for changing the Yom Kippur Game to 1:00. There is still an issue with the 9/20 New England Game. Why not move that game to 7:00 to resolve the whole matter...."
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CraigDMD Said:
Thu, April 16, 2009 - 4:38pm ET"Should also reschedule the New England opener for Sunday night at 8:15pm after yuntov (the holiday) is over."
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