Jets Encourage Residents to Attend Sendoff

They may be the "New York" Jets, but Madison is showing the professional football squad that its behind Gang Green's push to the Super Bowl.

Residents by now have probably noticed the team's flags lining the streets of downtown. That was the first show of support.

The second will be a sendoff which Mayor Mary-Anna Holden and other residents will be attending Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Jets' training facility in Florham Park.

Fans are being encouraged to go to Atlantic Health Jets Training Center at 1 Jets Drive in Florham Park and create a special "runway" for the team as it leaves for Indianapolis to compete in the AFC Championship game against the Colts on Sunday.

Fans who attend will also get "Win and We're In!" rally towels, distributed courtesy of Toyota.

Though the complex may be in nearby Florham Park and not in Madison, the team has taken measures to make sure the borough feels as though the Jets are its team, too.

"When they first were going to open, they wanted to make a big splash," Holden said. "They wanted suggestions on how they could get involved. They talked about putting up posters. We told them we could put up flags; that we have flag poles. So they bought us the flags."

Holden asked Main Street Executive Director Jim Burnet to have the signs put up once the Jets were in the playoffs, and hoped that it wouldn't be a detriment to the team.

"I didn't want to jinx the team," Holden said with a laugh. "But they've been up for two games now and they're still doing well."

Anyone interested in going to Saturday morning's event is encouraged by the Jets to help create the send off. Holden says she will be one of the Madison residents wishing the team well.

Holden also said that at least one local business will be making changes to help accommodate Jets fans on Sunday.

"Rocco's (30 Cook Plaza), where a lot of fans hang out, is going to open an hour earlier," Holden said. "It will be open at 3 p.m. instead of 4."