The New York Jets, in conjunction with JetBlue, New York’s hometown airline, and the NY Daily News, New York’s hometown newspaper, today unveiled a “50 Years of New York Jets Football” photo exhibit at the value airline’s Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).  The exhibit showcases exclusive and rare photographs from the archives of the Daily News that chronicle a half-century of Jets football.  The event, hosted by ESPN Sports Commentator and Voice of the Jets, Bob Wischusen, featured a Q&A segment with current Jets players Jerricho Cotchery and Kerry Rhodes and former Jets greats Emerson Boozer and Wesley Walker.

“Seeing these photos brings back so many great memories,” said Emerson Boozer. The former running back is featured in a photo showing his second touchdown that sealed a Jets victory over the Baltimore Colts on October 22, 1972. “It is an honor to be a part of this franchise and it is exciting that we able to share it with countless travelers who will pass through this terminal over the coming months.”

The exhibit, which chronicles the Jets’ past with more than 25 photos, will remain on display in Terminal 5 through February 7, 2010.

“As the largest domestic carrier at JFK, JetBlue will welcome millions of customers and Jets fans through our award-winning Terminal 5 over the coming months,” said Fiona Morrisson, director of brand management and advertising for JetBlue Airways.  “Together with the NY Daily News, we are thrilled to provide travelers – young and old, locals and visitors –a unique look back at the history of the Jets, a major sports franchise right here in our own backyard.”

“The Daily News is honored to help celebrate 50 years of Jets Football,” said Marc Kramer, CEO of the NY Daily News. “We’ve searched our archives to find exclusive and rare photos of some of the best moments in NY Jets history. We are pleased to offer New Yorkers, Jets fans, Jet Blue customers and all visitors to Terminal 5 at JFK the opportunity to enjoy these amazing photographs from the award-winning Daily News photo team.”

Plans for an exhibit were announced when JetBlue announced a three-year sponsorship to become the Official Airline Partner of the New York Jets on September 8, 2009.

About JetBlue Airways

New York-based JetBlue Airways has created a new airline category based on value, service and style. In 2009, the carrier ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Low-Cost Carriers in North America” by J.D. Power and Associates, a customer satisfaction recognition received for the fifth year in a row. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue is now pleased to offer customers Lots of Legroom and super-spacious Even More Legroom seats.  JetBlue introduced complimentary in-flight e-mail and instant messaging services on aircraft “BetaBlue,” a first among U.S. domestic airlines.  JetBlue is also America’s first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue’s control.  Visitwww.jetblue.com/promise for details.  JetBlue serves 60 cities with 650 daily flights.  With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required.  For information or reservations call 1-800-JET-BLUE (1-800-538-2583), TTY/TDD 1-800-336-5530 or visit www.jetblue.com.

About The Daily News

The Daily News is the largest and most widely read newspaper in the New York metropolitan market, in addition to being the sixth largest daily and fifth largest Sunday newspaper in the country. The Daily News continues to lead all other newspapers as the paper of choice for New York City residents. Average daily readership for the Daily News nears 2.5 million, with Sunday readership reaching 2.6 million (Scarborough Research, New York Market, 12 months ending 2009 R1). In addition to print readership, NYDailyNews.com features over 17 million unique users per month (WebTrends, October 2009).  The Daily News has the largest combined print and online audience of any metropolitan newspaper at 4.9 million and NYDailyNews.com is the 6^th most visited newspaper website in the country (Nielsen NetView, September 2009).
Contact:

JetBlue Corporate Communications

CorporateCommunications@jetblue.com

(718) 709-3089

The New York Jets, in conjunction with JetBlue and the NY Daily News, will unveil “50 Years of New York Jets Football” photo exhibit at JetBlue’s Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on Tuesday, November 17.  The exhibit will showcase exclusive and rare photographs from the archives of the Daily News that chronicle a half century of Jets history.  The launch will feature speakers and guests from JetBlue, the Daily News, the NY Jets, members of the Jets cheerleading squad and a Q&A session with current and past Jets players.

WHAT: Unveiling of “50 Years of New York Jets Football” photo exhibit

WHO: Fiona Morrisson, Director of Brand, JetBlue Airways
Marie McGovern, Editor, Metro Desk, Daily News
Marc Riccio, VP of Corporate Sales, New York Jets
Jerricho Cotchery, wide receiver, New York Jets
Kerry Rhodes, safety, New York Jets

• • • Emerson Boozer, former running back, New York Jets
      Wesley Walker, former wide receiver, New York Jets

      Bob Wischusen, ESPN Sports Commentator & Voice of the New York Jets

WHEN: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
1:30 PM (arrive early to allow time to pass through TSA screening)
2 PM remarks and ribbon-cutting

WHERE:        John F. Kennedy International Airport – Terminal 5
Central Marketplace (through security)

** For access, media representatives should contact JetBlue Airways prior to arriving at the airport.  Vehicles must be parked in the Terminal 5 public parking garage.  Then, report to the Special Services counter in the north end of the check-in lobby near the bottom of the escalators (to the left of the TSA checkpoint if entering from the road) to be cleared for access through security and assigned a security escort.  A government-issued photo ID is required.  Allow adequate time to pass through TSA screening. **

CONTACT: Alison Croyle, JetBlue Airways
Alison.croyle@jetblue.com
718-709-3089 x 1

JETS, NYC DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND LIME CONNECT

LAUNCH THE 2^ND ANNUAL “BE A CHAMPION”

CITYWIDE WRITING CONTEST FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The New York Jets, the New York City Department of Education, and Lime Connect (Lime), an organization that connects people with disabilities for employment, will launch the second annual “Be a Champion”, a citywide essay writing contest for middle and high school students with disabilities on October 6, at 2:00 PM at High School for Environmental Studies in Manhattan. In the essays students will reflect on concepts of achievement and success as they move to complete their secondary education and prepare for the challenges of the life beyond high school.

WHAT: Launch of 2^nd annual “Be a Champion” Essay Writing Contest

WHO: NY Jets player Tony Richardson
Chief Officer of Achievement for Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners Laura Rodriguez
Lime’s Founder Rich Donovan
High School for Environmental Studies Principal Shirley Matthews, teachers, students

WHEN: Tuesday, October 6, 2009

TIME: 2:00 PM

WHERE: High School for Environmental Studies

• 444 W.56th St
  NY, NY 10019

The NYC Department of Education, the New York Jets and PENCIL Announce Creation of Football Team at Cardozo High School and Continued Support for PSAL and C.H.A.M.P.S. Football Programs

Jets EVP and PENCIL Board Member and Partner Matt Higgins, along with Jets Players Jerricho Cotchery and Rob Turner, present $12,500 check to Cardozo High School and announce creation of $5,000 PSAL college scholarship

Jets also continue annual donation of $100,000 to PSAL High School Football

for Heads Up! Helmet Grant and C.H.A.M.P.S Middle School Flag Football Program

New York City Schools Deputy Chancellor Santiago Taveras, the New York Jets and PENCIL announced in a press conference yesterday the creation of a new football team at Cardozo High School in Queens, NY. Jets Executive Vice President of Business Operations Matt Higgins along with Jets players Jerricho Cotchery and Rob Turner presented a check for $12,500 to Cardozo High School to help begin a new football team at the school. In addition, the Jets announced the creation of a new $5,000 college scholarship for a Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) athlete who excels on the field as well as in the classroom. Finally, the Jets will also continue their annual $100,000 donation through the National Football League’s Youth Football Fund to the Heads Up! helmet and C.H.A.M.P.S. middle school flag football programs.

As a member of PENCIL’s Board of Directors and a Partner in its Partnership Program, Matt Higgins partnered with his alma mater Benjamin Cardozo High School this year to help launch Cardozo’s first football team. “We are excited to partner with Cardozo on a number of levels,” said Higgins. “Not only are we helping to grow the athletic program with the creation of this football team, but the scholarship is awarded on both academic and athletic excellence, a balance that we stress in all of our youth efforts throughout the tri-state area.”

In addition, Higgins is working with the principal to develop a communications team tasked with media relations, marketing, branding, and social networking efforts.  The goal is to develop a streamlined approach to gathering relevant and newsworthy information about the school and communicate it to a broader audience.

“Thanks to the New York Jets, our students are able to compete for a new college scholarship,” Deputy Chancellor for Teaching and Learning Santiago Taveras said. “The Jets have been strong partners and have helped increase students’ physical activity opportunities through our C.H.A.M.P.S. and PSAL programs as we work to raise student achievement in and outside of the classroom.”

“Benjamin Cardozo High School is recognized for its academic achievements, its ability to serve all students and with this donation we also hope to be known for our prowess on the gridiron,” said Cardozo High School principal Gerald Martori. “Our school is overjoyed to receive such a generous donation from the Jets to start our own football team. This is especially meaningful coming from Matt Higgins, a Cardozo alumnus, and Jets players Jerricho Cotchery and Rob Turner.”

In 2001 the New York Jets formed a community partnership with the PSAL to provide support to New York City public school football programs. The Jets and the PSAL expanded this partnership in 2005 and titled it Heads Up! Through an annual matching grant from the NFL’s Youth Football Fund, the New York Jets donate $100,000 to the PSAL’s football programs. This grant has helped to create nine new and developmental football teams and expand the C.H.A.M.P.S. Middle School Flag Football League to over 75 programs throughout the New York City public school system. Beyond these grants, the Jets continue to support the PSAL in a variety of other ways including honoring the PSAL football champions at a home game during the NFL season.

Through the Department of Education’s C.H.A.M.P.S. Middle School Sport and Fitness League, students are empowered to become Cooperative, Healthy, Active, Motivated, Positive Students—for life.  Regardless of athletic ability, student participants in C.H.A.M.P.S. have opportunities to engage in a wide variety of physical activities before or after school, including traditional and non-traditional sports, along with fitness activities that can be maintained long after their school days are over.

PENCIL inspires innovative solutions to the challenges facing New York City public schools by building and supporting customized relationships between business leaders and principals.  By bringing together the best ideas, resources and talent across sectors, we develop strong leaders, build school capacity, enhance student learning, and inspire greater community and corporate support, to create real change in our City’s schools.  For more information, visit www.pencil.org or call 646-638-0565.

The New York Jets, the New York City Department of Education, and Lime Connect (Lime), an organization that connects people with disabilities for employment, will launch “Be a Champion”, a citywide essay writing contest for middle and high school students with disabilities tomorrow, September 16, at 12.30 PM at J.H.S. 167 in Manhattan. In the essays students will reflect on concepts of achievement and success as they move to complete their secondary education and prepare for the challenges of the life beyond high school.

WHAT: Launch of “Be a Champion” Essay Writing Contest

WHO: NY Jets player Tony Richardson, Lime’s Founder Rich Donovan, DOE Deputy Chancellor Dr. Marcia Lyles, J.H.S. Principal Jennifer Rhen, teachers, and students.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 16, 2008

TIME: 12:30 PM

WHERE: J.H.S. 167 Robert F. Wagner

220 East 76 St., Manhattan
(School library)