IK Enemkpali’s sucker punch of Geno Smith is the latest in the Jets’ history of embarrassing moments. Here’s a look at some others:
The Buttfumble
Nov. 22, 2012
Perhaps the most embarrassing moment in the Jets’ tortured history. On Thanksgiving night, the Jets are destroyed by the Patriots, 49-19, at MetLife Stadium with the lowlight coming when Mark Sanchez runs into the backside of guard Brandon Moore and coughs up the ball. Patriots safety Steven Gregory returns it for a touchdown.
Sal Alosi’s trip
Dec. 12, 2010
Alosi, the team’s strength and conditioning coach, sticks out his leg and trips Dolphins punt returner Nolan Carroll. He’s suspended two days later when it’s revealed Alosi was instructing inactive Jets players to stand along the sideline and impede opposing players. He hasn’t worked in the league since.
Belichick resigns as HC of the NYJ
Jan. 5, 2000
Bill Belichick suddenly resigns on the day he was supposed to be introduced as Bill Parcells’ replacement. Moments before stepping to the podium for a press conference, he handed in his resignation with that message written on a piece of paper. Belichick has won four Super Bowls with the Patriots.
The Fake Spike
Nov. 27, 1994
Dan Marino and the Dolphins complete a remarkable comeback from down 24-6 to a 28-24 victory, scoring with 22 seconds left after Marino faked a spike to kill the clock. The Jets don’t win again, losing their last five games to finish 6-10.
“I wanna kiss you!”
Dec. 20, 2003
Even the greatest Jet of all time can’t escape this list. During a prime-time game on ESPN, a drunken and slurring Joe Namath twice attempts to kiss sideline reporter Suzy Kolber, telling her “I wanna kiss you!”
Leon Hess’ Thanksgiving speech
Nov. 23, 1995
In the midst of a forgettable season going nowhere, Hess meets the team for his annual Thanksgiving Day speech and tells the players: “Let’s go out with dignity and show ’em we’re not horses’ asses.’’ The Jets actually win that week, beating Seattle, but lose their next four games to finish 3-13.
The Snoopy Bowl Injury
Aug. 24, 2013
Battling rookie Geno Smith for the starting job, Mark Sanchez is in the game in the final minutes of the annual Jets-Giants preseason game behind a third-string offensive line, and suffers a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He needs surgery and doesn’t play a down that year.
A plane over Jets practice
Nov. 15, 2014
Tired of GM John Idzik’s inactivity and poor drafts during a terrible season, Jets fans hire a plane to fly over practice carrying a banner that reads: “Fire John Idzik.” Idzik is canned after the 4-12 campaign.
Santonio Homes sits out the huddle
Jan. 1, 2012
In the final minutes of a season-ending loss to the Dolphins, the diva wide receiver is benched — apparently by offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and without Rex Ryan’s knowledge — after moping and fighting with teammates, and arguing with a few players in the huddle.
Rex Ryan’s greatest hits
The former Jets coach reached two AFC title games, but he was also known for so much else — from the foot-fetish videos he made with his wife, Michelle, to giving a fan the middle finger at an MMA event in February, 2010 and cursing out a Patriots fan at halftime of a November 2011 game. He was, in many ways, the perfect Jets coach.