ans Encouraged to Wear Green for Sunday’s “Green Out” vs. Bills

The New York Jets are holding Fan Appreciation Day for the game vs. Buffalo at the Meadowlands on Sunday at 1 p.m. The team is encouraging all fans to wear their Jets green gear to create a “Green Out” at the game.

Prizes and giveaways will be distributed throughout the game and one fan will be chosen at random to kick a field goal at halftime for $150,000.

Fan Appreciation Day is brought to you by SportsNet New York (SNY).

WHO: Jets fans

WHAT: Fan Appreciation Day featuring a “Green Out”

WHERE: The Meadowlands

WHEN: December 14, 2008, 1 p.m.

The New York Jets announced today that Fred Caprista of George Washington High School in New York, NY has been named this year’s recipient of the New York Jets High School Coach of the Year Award. For his efforts, he will receive $2,000 to benefit the school’s football program, and he will be presented with a certificate from the New York Jets.

In its 13th year, the award is given to a coach in the Tri-State area who serves the best interests of the game through the teaching of sound football fundamentals, the motivation of young players to achieve, and the promotion of youth football by way of dedication to their community, their school and their student-athletes.

Coach Caprista is in his 1st season as the head coach of the George Washington Trojans. The 1984 Sheepshead Bay High School Alumnus previously coached wide receivers and defensive backs at Fort Hamilton High School during their back-to-back B Division Championships in ’91 and ‘92. He graduated Brooklyn College with a degree in physical education and currently instructs in that field at George Washington High School.

On November 23, 2008, the Trojans defeated the Far Rockaway Sea Horses 20 -14 to win the PSAL Cup Division Championship. This is the Trojans first football championship since 1988. The win avenges the opening season defeat to the Sea Horses and improves George Washington’s record to 10 – 1 to close out the season with a nine game winning streak.

Previous Award Winners:
Week 1: Matt McCloskey, Fairfield-Ludlow High School, Fairfield, CT
Week 2: Rob Pickert, Hackley School, Tarrytown, NY
Week 3: John Power, Hillside High School, Hillside, NJ
Week 4: Rich Conklin, Nanuet High School, Nanuet, NY
Week 5: Scott Benoit, Hamden High School, Hamden, CT
Week 6: Brain Walsh, John Jay High School, Hopewell Junction, NY
Week 7: Chris Beagan, Monroe High School, Monroe Township, NJ
Week 8: Joe DeSiena, Xaverian High School, Brooklyn, NY
Week 9: John Catano, Croton Harmon High School, Croton on the Hudson, NY
Week 10: Rich Gianchiglia, Middlesex High School, Middlesex, NJ

Donations Benefit U.S. Marines Reserve Corps Toys for Tots Program

The New York Jets in conjunction with the U.S. Marine Reserve Corps, Burgdorff Realtors ERA and A-1 First Class-Viking Moving and Storage will hold their annual toy drive to benefit the Toys for Tots program on December 14, 2008, at The Meadowlands before the 1:00 p.m. game versus Buffalo. Fans are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy to the game that will be collected at all gates upon entering the stadium.

The annual U.S. Marine Reserve Corps Toys for Tots program’s mission is to collect unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help these children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable natural resources - our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause and to contribute to better communities in the future.

WHO: New York Jets and their loyal fans

WHAT: Unwrapped toys to benefit the Toys for Tots program

WHERE: The Meadowlands

WHEN: December 14, 2008, 11:00 – 1:00 p.m.

WHY: To benefit the U.S. Marine Reserve Corps Toys for Tots Program

Programs funded by the New York Jets Foundation touch the lives of countless young men and women in the Tri-state area. Realogy Corporation, a premier global provider of real estate and relocation services, and its subsidiary companies Burgdorff Realtors ERA and Cartus, are title sponsors for all of the Jets’ community relations programs. Over the past eight years, the Jets and their charitable foundation have donated or contributed more than eight million dollars to promote youth health, fitness and education, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

From fighting childhood obesity through the Generation Jets: Be Lean & Green initiative to launching a football team in a Harlem high school, urging students in the Bronx to eat right and move more and supporting the efforts of the Alliance for Lupus Research, the New York Jets invest in programs that make a difference in the lives of others. In addition to the Jets Foundation, which supports our own extensive youth initiatives, the Jets partner with numerous established charitable organizations and participate in causes sponsored by the NFL.

he New York Jets signed free agent S J.R. Reed to the 53-man roster. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Reed (5-11/202/South Florida/Tampa, FL), a five-year veteran, was originally selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round, 129th overall, of the 2004 NFL Draft. In 40 games (four starts) he has accumulated 50 tackles (30 solo), 39 special teams tackles and 81 kickoff returns for 1,808 yards (22.6 per return). After spending the 2004-05 season with the Eagles, Reed had stints with the Rams, Falcons, and Giants. He re-signed with the Eagles on Sept. 2, 2007 and played in five games, recording three special teams tackles before being released on Oct. 21.

The New York Jets have waived RB Marcus Mason. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

Mason (5-9/215/Youngstown State/Potomac, MD), who signed with the Jets off of the Baltimore Ravens practice squad Oct. 29., originally signed in the NFL with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2007. He was released on Sept. 11, 2007 and signed to the Washington practice squad on Sept. 12. Mason played all five 2008 preseason games for Washington and led the NFL with 317 yards rushing (4.8 yards per carry). He also caught eight passes for 56 yards (7.0 avg.) and one touchdown before he was released by the Redskins on Aug. 30. He signed with the Ravens practice squad on Sept. 3.

The New York Jets have named fullback Tony Richardson as the Club’s 2008 Walter Payton Man of the Year. Through his Rich in Spirit Foundation and the New York Jets Community Relations Department, Tony has impacted many lives throughout the country. As the Jets’ award winner, Richardson will receive $1,000 to donate to the Rich in Spirit Foundation, his 501(c)(3) organization of choice. Richardson is eligible to win the national Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and be recognized at a press conference during Super Bowl week in Florida. The national winner will receive $25,000 to donate to the 501(c)(3) organization of his choice. Since 1970, the NFL has awarded the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award to recognize a player’s off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence.

NFL Charities requires a panel of no less than six people to vote for the Man of the Year winner. Two-thirds (2/3) of the panel must be external members from outside organizations, including one media representative and one non-profit/government representative. This year’s panel included Dan Leberfeld, Publisher, Jets Confidential, C. J. Papa, Islanders Reporter, MSG Network, Brooks Thomas, Director of Sports Special Events for the New York March of Dimes, Laura Dyer, Assistant Vice President Strategic Events and Community Relations for Davis Vision and two representatives from the Jets Community Relations Department.

Tony Richardson established the Rich in Spirit Foundation in 1999 to extend a helping hand in order to uplift the lives and spirits of individuals, with particular attention to enhancing personal growth in children. Since its inception, this three-time Pro Bowl fullback has personally donated more than 1 million dollars and made more than 1,000 appearances. Tony was named Pro Football Weekly’s “Arthur S. Arkush Humanitarian of the Year” in 2003; recipient of the 2006 OverTime Magazine’s OTX Lifelong Service Award; received the 2005 Distinguished Citizen Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice, an organization dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry and racism in America; recipient of the 2002 Pop Warner Round Table Award; and voted an “NFL Good Guy” for five consecutive years by the Sporting News. Currently, Tony serves as spokesperson for the New York Jets and Lime Connect, Inc. Be a Champion disability awareness campaign. Tony’s efforts have benefited those in Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, New York, and New Jersey. He runs all foundation activities and has no paid staff.

The defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants are 11-1 and possess the league’s highest scoring offense. At the helm of that explosive offense is strong-armed quarterback Eli Manning, the MVP of last year’s Super Bowl. And as the Giants continue to stockpile wins and Manning continues to lead his team into the endzone with remarkable frequency, it’s starting to look like that might not be the only MVP award that will grace the 27-year old quarterback’s mantle.

Eli Manning has also become a strong candidate for league MVP this season.

Peter Schrager of Fox Sports agrees. So do reporters from NBC Sports, The Sporting News, The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and other national and regional publications.

In the Giants decisive win on the road last week against Washington, Manning passed for 305 yards and a touchdown despite the loss of his top receiver, Plaxico Burress, who accidentally shot himself in the leg at a Manhattan nightclub two nights prior. Unfazed by the loss of his star receiver and the media circus that resulted from it, Manning calmly led the Giants offense to victory by completing 21 passes to 6 different receivers.

Many sportswriters are already predicting a repeat trip to the Super Bowl for Manning and the Giants. Some, like Lee Jenkins of Sports Illustrated, have recently gone as far as to suggest an All-Manning Bowl, in which Eli would take the field opposite his famous big brother, Peyton.

And when it comes to Eli Manning, no reporter in the world knows more than Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, whose new book Eli Manning: The Making of a Quarterback traces the young signal-caller’s career from his college days at Ole Miss up to his stunning Super Bowl triumph. As the Giants beat reporter for the Daily News, Vacchiano has covered every snap in every game and every practice that Manning has taken as a member of the Giants, and his revealing book is reflective of his unsurpassed knowledge of Manning and his football team.

Chapter thirteen of Eli Manning: The Making of a Quarterback is dedicated Plaxico Burress, who former Giants General Manager Ernie Accorsi once called “the best free agent signing we ever made.” It examines, in depth Burress’ unlikely friendship with Manning, offering fascinating, first-hand insights into the troubled star’s enigmatic personality.

Ralph Vacchiano is available for immediate interview.

If you’d like to interview Ralph Vacchiano, or receive a review copy of his book, please email jhobbs@skyhorsepublishing.com or call 212-643-6816 x224

“Here I am the biggest guy in school and I can’t play a sport because I had open heart surgery.” – D’Brickashaw Ferguson

“”As soon as you get to your house, you might not even make it to the couch. You might just fall down on the floor.” – Dustin Keller

Eight New York Jets told their stories. Now, fans can help turn one of them into the NFL’s Super Bowl commercial at NFL.com/SuperAd.

D’BRICKASHAW FERGUSON and DUSTIN KELLER are featured in a head-to-head competition against their rivals from the AFC East in the NFL’s “Super Ad: Believe In Now” promotion.

NFL Films traveled to NFL training camps and team facilities to capture the players’ stories. Now fans will have the opportunity to hear these unique tales and get an exclusive look at some of their favorite NFL players, such as:

D’Brickashaw Ferguson, who talks about his journey from heart surgery as a child to playing professional football.

Dustin Keller, who describes how hard he pushed himself at his first training camp wanting to never show weakness.

Fans can visit the Jets section to also see: AHMAD CARROLL, DAVID CLOWNEY, JAMES DEARTH, VERNON GHOLSTON, JAMES IHEDIGBO and WALLACE WRIGHT.

Fans will vote on the 24 stories from AFC players on nfl.com/superad from December 4 - 17. Four AFC stories, one from each division, will be selected to continue to the Championship Round where they will compete against four videos from the NFC as well as one wildcard video. The Championship Round runs from December 18, 2008 – January 4, 2009. Fans will have eighteen days to vote for their favorites with a Super Bowl appearance on the line.

Fans can visit the “All Videos” section to watch all 210 NFL players’ stories posted on nfl.com/superad. Fans will then watch the winning pitch, and the player who told it, during Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday, February 1 on NBC.