Jets upset about home games on Jewish holidays

Sir Nicky Talent · 04-17-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) - The New York Jets, upset about being scheduled for home games on consecutive Sundays in direct conflict with Jewish holidays, sent NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a letter Thursday asking that one of the game times be changed.

The Jets' home opener is Week 2 against New England at 1 p.m. on Sept. 20, which falls during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. New York then plays Tennessee at 4:15 p.m. the following Sunday, with Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement, beginning at sundown.

In the letter to Goodell, owner Woody Johnson suggested the game against the Titans be changed to a 1 p.m. start to give Jewish fans time to arrive home before sundown.

"I am extremely disappointed with the league's decision to schedule us to play at home on consecutive Sundays that are in direct conflict with the Jewish High Holy Days," Johnson wrote. "There has long been an understanding that neither the Jets nor the Giants fans should have to bear completely the brunt of this issue since we are in the largest Jewish market in the country."

Jets officials called the league offices first on Wednesday to express their concern, and Johnson followed with a formal letter Thursday.

"We were not contacted prior to this decision," Johnson said. "We are flexible and would have been more than happy to work with the league to accommodate as many of our fans as possible."

Brian McCarthy, the NFL's vice president of corporate communications, said the league received the letter and was reviewing it.

The Giants are on the road for both weeks, with games at Dallas at 8:20 p.m. in Week 2, and at Tampa, Fla., at 1 p.m. in Week 3.

FOX Sports

Thought?

shazam · 04-17-2009, 02:10 PM

Other teams have to play at the same times on the same days and they are not complaing. I don't see San Diego or Tenn. complaining about their fans having to come out on Christmas. If the NFL gives in and changes the time or days of these games then every team will complain that there is somethnig going on every tough game they have on the schedule. Is there really a 100% way to know what team has the biggest market of who, and even if they do religon has nothing to do with what happens on the field. If these people feel that they can not play b/c of one of their religous holidays then don't play r attend the game, I'm sure there are plenty of other poeple that would go/play in their spot.