Anyone that knows my family knows that we are - for better, or for worse - diehard Jets fans. When my husband and I first got married, going to see the Jets play was "our thing" to do every year. Then we had kids, so it was only natural for us to pass down our love for the team. Here are our two Jets kids in full gear at the beginning of the 2013 football season:
Much to my husband's delight, my son has become quite the Jets fan. Cole knows all the players' stats, and the team's record. In fact, for Cole's 5th birthday, he chose to have his party at the Jets Training Camp in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Read more about our Jets Training Camp experience HERE.)
When Macaroni Kid was invited to a VIP Jets experience, we of course jumped at the opportunity. Cole loves going to Jets games so he was beyond excited when he found out he was going to have the chance to see the Jets up close! First stop was the pre-game football activities such as punting, passing and running the ball, all of which are free for all paying attendees.
After testing our football abilities, we were able to watch the Jets warm up on the field. Yes, that's the Jets quarterback Josh McCown #15!
As if it wasn't enough to watch the Jets warm up before the game, we were then escorted to the Jets tunnel to witness all the Jets players walk out on the field before the National Anthem. Whaaaat?! This was THE highlight of the day because Cole got a bunch of fist pumps from the players!
After the National Anthem, we headed up to our Jets Suite to watch the game. We were on the 5th floor, room 22, and the view from the 50-yard line could not have been better.
The suite had all the amenities needed for a VIP gathering: a personal attendant, three giant TVs, a couch, kitchenette, charging station, dining table, and a bar table and stools facing the field for an unobstructed view of the game. There are also cushioned stadium seats if you prefer to watch the game outside and cheer with the crowd. The food was exceptional: we were served chicken fingers, hot dogs, meatball sandwiches, jalapeno macaroni and cheese, potato chips as well as delicious s'mores and apple empanadas for dessert.
Unfortunately, the Jets lost to the Panthers 35 to 27, but it was an exciting game to watch. It was such a great experience to share with Cole who paid attention throughout the whole game. We enjoyed our delicious food and joined in on the thunderous noise when the Jets scored. Even when it was clear the Jets were going to lose, Cole wanted to stay until the very end: he said he might not have another experience like today. I couldn't blame him. Of all the experiences he and I have shared through the seven years of publishing Macaroni Kid, this was by far our favorite and will be the most memorable.
Disclosure: the New York Jets provided a complementary VIP Jets experience which included all pre-game activities, exclusive access to the field, and suite seating. All opinions are solely that of the author.
