Tradition Continues in Holidays for the New York Jets

As the holiday season unfolds and the NFL regular season enters its final stretch, the New York Jets are keeping alive a decades-old tradition of blending on-field competition with off-field generosity—strengthening bonds with fans, supporting the local community, and fostering team unity during a time of year focused on connection. For the Jets, holiday traditions aren’t just ceremonial; they’re a core part of the team’s identity, dating back to the 1960s when players first began visiting local hospitals and hosting toy drives for families in need. This year, amid a playoff push that has reignited excitement across New York, the Jets are doubling down on these rituals—from their annual “Jets Holiday Toy Drive” to player-led hospital visits and team-wide family dinners. Tradition Continues in Holidays for the New York Jets explores how these traditions honor the past, bring joy to the community, and fuel the team’s spirit as they chase a postseason berth.

At the heart of the Jets’ holiday traditions is the annual Jets Holiday Toy Drive, a 35-year-old initiative that collects thousands of toys each year for children in underserved communities across New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey. This season, the team set up drop-off locations at MetLife Stadium, local grocery stores, and community centers, with players, coaches, and cheerleaders (the Jets Flight Crew) volunteering their time to collect and sort donations. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, in his first holiday season as a Jet, helped kick off the drive by donating 500 toys and hosting a meet-and-greet with fans who brought donations. “This tradition is about more than giving toys—it’s about giving hope,” Rodgers said. “Growing up, the holidays were all about making kids smile, and to be part of something that does that for families here means a lot.” The toy drive also includes a “Shop with a Jet” component, where 25 local children are paired with players (including running back Breece Hall and cornerback Sauce Gardner) for a shopping spree at a local Walmart, picking out gifts for themselves and their siblings. Tradition Continues in Holidays for the New York Jets frames this drive as a cornerstone of the team’s commitment to giving back, bridging the gap between players and the community they represent.

Another beloved Jets holiday tradition is player visits to local children’s hospitals, where players spend time with young patients facing illness or injury during the holidays. This year, a group of 15 Jets players—led by veteran linebacker C.J. Mosley and rookie wide receiver Garrett Wilson—visited Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in Manhattan, bringing gifts, signing autographs, and playing games with kids. Mosley, who has participated in the visits for eight years, emphasized the impact these moments have on both the children and the players. “You walk into a room and see a kid light up when they see a Jet, and it puts everything in perspective,” Mosley said. “We’re out here chasing wins, but this—making a kid forget about their struggles for an hour—is the real win.” The visits also include a “Holiday Story Time” segment, where players read classic holiday books to younger patients, often adding playful voices or impromptu jokes to keep the mood light. This year, defensive end Leonard Floyd dressed up as Santa Claus for a group of 5-year-olds, a moment that went viral on the Jets’ social media accounts with over 500,000 views. Tradition Continues in Holidays for the New York Jets highlights how these hospital visits turn players into role models and create lasting memories for families during a difficult time.

For the New York Jets, holiday traditions also play a key role in strengthening team unity, especially during the high-pressure stretch of the NFL season. One of the team’s most cherished internal rituals is the annual “Jets Holiday Family Dinner,” where players, coaches, and their families gather at MetLife Stadium’s club level for a catered meal featuring traditional holiday dishes (including turkey, ham, and homemade pies baked by team staff). The dinner includes a “Secret Santa” exchange, where players draw names and give thoughtful, often lighthearted gifts—this year, Rodgers gave defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich a custom football inscribed with “Thanks for making me look good,” while Gardner gave Hall a pair of limited-edition sneakers. “This dinner is our chance to step away from X’s and O’s and just be people,” head coach Robert Saleh said. “When you’re around each other’s families, you build a different kind of bond—one that translates to trust on the field.” For the New York Jets, this unity is especially important this season, as the team navigates injuries and a tight playoff race. The holiday dinner reminds players that they’re part of something bigger than themselves—a family that supports each other through wins, losses, and everything in between. Tradition Continues in Holidays for the New York Jets explores how these internal rituals foster the cohesion that makes the team successful.

The Jets’ holiday traditions also extend to fans, with the team hosting a “Holiday Fan Fest” each year at MetLife Stadium the weekend before Christmas. This free event includes player autograph sessions, photo opportunities with the Jets’ mascot (Flight), holiday crafts for kids, and a performance by the Jets Flight Crew cheerleaders. This season, the Fan Fest also featured a “Jets Holiday Market,” where local artisans sold New York-themed gifts and proceeds benefited the Jets Foundation, which supports youth sports and education programs. For lifelong Jets fan Maria Gonzalez, who attended the event with her two sons, the Fan Fest is a yearly highlight. “We’ve been coming for 10 years,” Gonzalez said. “My boys love meeting the players, and it’s a way to feel connected to the team during the holidays. Even when the Jets weren’t winning, this event made us feel like part of the family.” For the New York Jets, the Fan Fest is a way to say thank you to supporters who stick with the team through ups and downs—especially this season, when fans have packed MetLife Stadium for every home game. Tradition Continues in Holidays for the New York Jets emphasizes how these fan-focused events deepen the team’s relationship with its community.

As the holiday season winds down and the Jets prepare for their final regular-season game (a crucial matchup against the Patriots that could secure a playoff spot), the team’s traditions remain a source of strength and inspiration. What makes these rituals enduring, players and coaches say, is their ability to ground the team in something bigger than football—reminding them of their responsibility to give back, the importance of unity, and the joy of connecting with fans. “Holidays are about tradition, and these traditions make us the New York Jets,” Saleh said. “They remind us why we play this game—not just to win, but to make a difference in the lives of the people who support us.” For the New York Jets, this holiday season is a special one: a playoff push, a renewed fanbase, and a chance to honor decades of tradition while creating new memories. As they take the field in the coming weeks, the spirit of the holidays—generosity, unity, hope—will be right there with them. Tradition Continues in Holidays for the New York Jets concludes by noting that while wins and losses fade, the traditions that bring a team and community together during the holidays last a lifetime—and for the Jets, that legacy is just as important as any championship.