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Jets’ Woody Johnson is New York’s worst sports owner
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Jets’ Woody Johnson is New York’s worst sports owner

There shouldn’t be many tears shed for Robert Saleh. In NFL history, there are 201 men with a head coaching career that included part or all of the fourth season. Saleh is 181st on that list in winning percentage. His final record for the Jets reads as follows: 20 wins, 36 losses (.357).

These numbers are getting coaches fired. They fired Saleh. On merit.

But you can still cry and sob a lot if you’re a Jets fan because this is still as shoddy an operation as any in American sports. Forget history. Forget all the swear words, swear words and swear words that fans come up with to make themselves feel better, as if there is something more mystical to explain decade after decade of deplorable football.

Woody Johnson is the bane. Woody Johnson is the bane.

Woody Johnson at the Jets’ 2024 season opener against the 49ers. AP

After a quarter-century in the big chair, Johnson has firmly established himself in a rare and rarefied spot: He’s the worst owner in New York sports. That’s true in the here and now. And he’s quickly gaining on the all-time leader in the clubhouse.

(Although even Johnson – or whoever – will have a great time replacing John Spanos, who “owned” the Islanders for five months in 1997.)

Think about it like this:

For years, the New York owner’s most unlikely story was that George Steinbrenner somehow went from pariah to patriarch to favorite rich uncle, all in less than a decade. Now it’s James Dolan, who would certainly wear the belt as long as he chose to own Madison Square Garden. He once complained that he was treated worse than any owner in New York history.

“George beat you,” I once told Dolan. “Trust me.”

“George?” Dolan asked. “They loved him in the end.”

“Yes,” I said. ‘At the end.’

“Well,” he said, “maybe they’ll love me when I’m dead!”

Dolan didn’t have to wait for such an extreme solution; all he had to do was identify competent lieutenants in the form of Leon Rose and Chris Drury, continue cheerfully signing checks, retire to the owner’s chairs and let Woody cook.

Johnson’s quarter-century as owner began when he scared off two Hall of Fame coaches, Bill Belichick and Bill Parcells, fled the franchise’s most popular coach (Rex Ryan) and then hired a series of coaches and GMs, all of whom have managed to decrease the franchise’s popularity. the bar is exponential. This is all done under Johnson’s supervision.

It’s one thing to be incompetent. It’s another thing to be delusional.


Follow the latest news on the New York Jets firing head coach Robert Saleh:


“This is one of the most talented teams ever put together by the New York Jets,” were words Johnson actually said on Tuesday, which Joe Namath and Gerry Philbin might find interesting (not to mention what Curtis Martin and Darrelle Revis might say). “I wanted to give this team the best chance to win this season.”

Maybe it’s worth listening if Woody Hayes told you the ins and outs of building a winning football team. Woody Johnson? Here were some more gems:

Robert Saleh (right) was replaced by Jeff Ulbrich as Jets coach. AP

“This will bring new energy and positivity and lead to more wins from now on.”

“We have an incredible team.”

“We have to give these great players on both sides of the ball a chance to win.”

And even these absurdities were just a warm-up. Here’s what Woody Johnson said about the Haason Reddick situation, right before dropping the mic at the end of a conference call:

“Haason, get in your car. Come down 95 (actually in his case it is “up” 95; Johnson should warn his limousine driver) and come to the New York Jets. You will be welcomed with open arms. We’ll meet you and give you an escort.’

So Johnson not only fired his coach, but also pistol-whipped his general manager, depriving Joe Douglas of any leverage he might have had over Reddick. If Johnson wasn’t born into a family, would you even let this man manage a lemonade stand?

It is not surprising that he especially acquitted Aaron Rodgers, to whom he handed the keys to the kingdom a year and a half ago and who, with every gesture, answer and non-answer, determines both the narrative and the policy with the Jets. He’s already had major problems quarterbacking the Jets; it will be fun to see him play the position now with blood all over his hands.

Robert Saleh (l.) and Woody Johnson (r.) Noah K. Murray – NY Post

“I have a lot of experience with these things,” Johnson said, and he certainly does. It’s done as much damage as an owner can do in 25 years, and seems eager to get a head start on the next 25 years. “Ultimately it is my decision and mine alone.”

Want to know what the Jets curse really sounds like? Read those twelve words over and over again.