Tradition Continues in Holidays for the New York Jets

The New York Jets have long woven holiday traditions into the fabric of their franchise, using seasons like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s to deepen ties with fans and give back to the New York/New Jersey community. These annual rituals—rooted in gratitude, generosity, and connection—have endured for decades, evolving with the team but staying true to their core mission: to make the holidays brighter for those who support the Jets year-round. Tradition Continues in Holidays for the New York Jets explores how these beloved customs play out each year, from turkey distributions to holiday-themed fan events, and why they remain a vital part of the team’s identity. For the Jets, holidays aren’t just a break from the season—they’re a chance to honor their community and reinforce the idea that being a Jet is about more than football.

Tradition Continues in Holidays for the New York Jets kicks off with the team’s longest-running holiday tradition: the Thanksgiving Turkey Drive, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. What began as a small effort to donate 100 turkeys to a Brooklyn food bank in 1999 has grown into a massive community initiative, with the Jets distributing over 3,000 turkeys and meal kits to families in need across five boroughs and northern New Jersey. This year, players like quarterback Zach Wilson, running back Breece Hall, and defensive end Quinnen Williams spent a morning packing meal bags alongside volunteers, pausing to take photos with kids and share stories about their own Thanksgiving traditions. Wilson, who grew up helping his family serve meals at a Utah shelter, said: “This tradition is what makes the Jets special. It’s easy to get caught up in the season, but days like this remind you why we play— to give back to the people who cheer us on.” The drive also includes a “Gratitude Wall,” where fans and players write notes of thanks to first responders, a touch added in 2015 that has become a beloved part of the event.

Another cherished custom highlighted in Tradition Continues in Holidays for the New York Jets is the team’s Christmas Visit to local children’s hospitals, a tradition started by former Jets tight end Dustin Keller in 2010. Each December, a group of Jets players and coaches—joined by the team’s mascot, Swoop—visit hospitals like NYU Langone Children’s Hospital and Hackensack University Medical Center, delivering gifts, signing autographs, and hosting mini “football clinics” in hospital playrooms. This year, wide receiver Garrett Wilson dressed as Santa Claus for a group of young patients, while linebacker C.J. Mosley read holiday stories to kids unable to leave their beds. The players also bring personalized gifts: one 8-year-old Jets fan received a custom jersey with his name on it, while another got a football signed by the entire team. Hospital staff note the impact of the visits: “For these kids, the holidays can be a tough time, but the Jets’ visit brings so much joy,” said Dr. Sarah Lopez, a child life specialist at NYU Langone. “Some of them talk about it for weeks afterward—it’s a memory they’ll never forget.”

Tradition Continues in Holidays for the New York Jets also includes the team’s New Year’s Eve “Countdown with the Jets” event, a fan-focused tradition launched in 2018 to ring in the new year with supporters. Held at MetLife Stadium’s Club Level, the event features live music, a buffet dinner, and a screening of the team’s best plays from the season. Fans also get a chance to meet former Jets players—this year, Hall of Famer Joe Namath and Super Bowl III champion Matt Snell made appearances, sharing stories about their own New Year’s memories as Jets. For the New York Jets, the event is a way to thank fans for their support over the past year and build excitement for the season ahead. “New Year’s is about new beginnings, and this event lets us start the year off with the people who matter most—our fans,” said Jets president Hymie Elhai. This year, the team added a “Future Jets” zone for kids, with face painting, balloon artists, and a photo booth with Swoop, making the event fun for families of all ages.

A newer tradition gaining momentum in Tradition Continues in Holidays for the New York Jets is the team’s “Hanukkah Celebration with the Jewish Community,” started in 2021 to honor the Jets’ diverse fan base. Each year, the team hosts a menorah lighting ceremony at MetLife Stadium, led by local rabbis and attended by Jets players, coaches, and Jewish fans. This year, offensive lineman Max Mitchell—who has Jewish heritage—helped light the menorah, while the team served traditional Hanukkah foods like latkes and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). The event also includes a charity component: the Jets donate $1,000 to a local Jewish community center for each night of Hanukkah. For the New York Jets, the tradition is a way to show that all fans are welcome and celebrated. “Our fan base is diverse, and we want to honor that,” said Jets community relations director Tiffany Cherry. “Hanukkah is an important holiday for many of our supporters, and this event lets us share in that joy with them.” Local rabbi David Cohen added: “It means a lot to see the Jets embrace our community. Sports have a way of bringing people together, and this tradition does exactly that.”

Looking ahead, Tradition Continues in Holidays for the New York Jets outlines how the team plans to grow and preserve these traditions for years to come. The Jets have created a “Holiday Tradition Committee” made up of players, coaches, and front office staff, tasked with ensuring the traditions remain meaningful and inclusive. The committee is also exploring new traditions, like a “Kwanzaa Celebration” to honor the African American community and a “Diwali Event” for fans celebrating the Hindu festival of lights. For the New York Jets, the goal is to make sure every fan feels seen and valued during the holidays. “Traditions are what bind a franchise to its community,” said head coach Robert Saleh. “We want these holidays to be a time when fans—no matter their background—feel like they’re part of the Jets family.” The team also plans to document the traditions in a new “Jets Holiday Legacy Book,” featuring photos and stories from past events, to share with future generations of fans.

Tradition Continues in Holidays for the New York Jets is ultimately a story of connection—between a team and its community, between players and fans, and between past and present. These traditions aren’t just events; they’re a way for the Jets to show that they care about more than wins and losses. From feeding families on Thanksgiving to bringing joy to sick kids at Christmas, from celebrating New Year’s with fans to honoring diverse cultures, the Jets’ holiday traditions reflect the best of what sports can be: a force for good. As the years go on, these customs will continue to evolve, but their heart will remain the same—gratitude, generosity, and a commitment to the community that makes the New York Jets more than a football team.