File Under: Mike Tannenbaum, Rex Ryan, Jets Taste of the NFL, Cipriani Wall Street
05/06 — The seventh annual Jets Taste of the NFL is in the cookbooks and it was a delicious event.
A big reason for the delectability is because of the venue. Cipriani Wall Street's grand ballroom was an excellent space to give more than 500 guests, 20 players and most of the Jets coaching staff lots of room to sample the signature dishes from top restaurants in the area, get autographs and photos, buy memorabilia and bid on player helmets and gift packages, all while doing the good work of assisting the Jets and A&P in fighting hunger in the New York metro area.
GM Mike Tannenbaum and his wife and head coach Rex Ryan and his wife led the Jets contingent and they were energized by the event as were the fans who ran into them.
I met Rex on one pass I made around the main floor of the ballroom and asked him how he was doing. "Great!" the coach exclaimed, and his trademark smile indicated that he meant every word of it. With an hour to go, Mike T and I reflected on the crowd. "They're great fans," Mike said. "They sure know their stuff." No disputing that at all.
I do a disservice to all the fans in attendance and to those whom I met but whose names I can't remember today. But I can tell you that Jason Oshins, the subject of my story on the Taste back on March 18, was there as usual, and so was Ira from Staten Island, who, like me, has been to every one of the seven "Tastes." Ira declared Tuesday night's event "one of the best ones they have ever had."
Pro Bowl players Leon Washington, Nick Mangold and Darrelle Revis led the player contingent. Adding even more star power to the event was the surprise arrival of Salt-N-Pepa and former Knicks star John Starks.
Here are some of the preliminary metrics from the event:
■ The 500-plus guests brought in $98,000 in ticket sales.
■ The total amount raised is close to $200,000, which comes in at $30,000 more than last year, or a more than 17 percent increase.
■ And that total dollar amount is the most raised in the seven years of the Jets' Taste of the NFL.
In these difficult times, those are phenomenal numbers. Thanks to all for participating.
Ray Said:
Fri, May 8, 2009 - 12:54pm ET"No one is irreplaceable. Especially if they become a poison."
sal Said:
Fri, May 8, 2009 - 11:38pm ET"Jones is replaceable, if they get a bull for a full back to lead the way for leon, with this line it would work, the best lead full back was just relesed and signed, already name on the tip. but cant get it out, anyway thats what leon would need to be succesful every down back"
lavalle Said:
Mon, May 11, 2009 - 5:50pm ET"what can you tell me on Casey Dick. where is he at as far as an NFL career"
Randy Lange Said:
"lavalle, Casey Dick was a tryout player at the May 1-3 rookie minicamp and so far has not been offered a contract. I know he worked out for Dallas before the draft."
Jim Said:
Wed, May 6, 2009 - 5:43pm ET"Hats off to the organization, the coaches and the players who participated for running a first class event. It was a thrill to chat with Rex about his Dad and the AFL days, Nick Mangoid about single malt whiskies, and Leon about his golf game. It is rare to be able to meet players in this kind of relaxed atmosphere while contributing to a worthwhile cause..."
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