Perspective of the Jets Fan Base

[32EBoozer]

 

https://www.ganggreennation.com/2022/12/27/23527885/jets-fan-rude-to-zach-wilson-mom-social-media
 

Let’s get the obvious out of the way:

• Players in the National Football League make a lot of money, especially guys who were taken early in the draft or signed a lucrative second contract.
• Many of us would happily sign up for the lifestyle this profession provides.
• Players that are good don’t typically get booed.
• Players that are not good should be better.

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s highlight a tweet that made the rounds across the Twittersphere just a few days ago. Credit to Doug Rush for sharing the image of the Direct Message but who did not send the direct message himself.

Safe to say Zach Wilson won’t be back with the Jets next season?

Lisa Wilson, Zach Wilson’s mom, apparently referred to the Jets fan base as “toxic” in an Instagram DM to a fan. pic.twitter.com/b8AI56U15a

— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) December 23, 2022

This exchange is a direct message on Instagram between an unnamed ‘Jets fan’ and the mother of New York Jets Quarterback and former #2 overall pick Zach Wilson. This season, Zach Wilson has left much to be desired, as he has struggled to the tune of ~188 passing yards per game, drawing the ire of many Jets fan as the offense has struggled.

Regardless of one’s thoughts about Zach Wilson the player, the above exchange as initiated by the fan is multiple kinds of inappropriate. Many will focus on the response of Zach’s mother, including the lines reading “It’s not possible for anyone to be successful here. Your fan base is toxic,” but I think it’s important that we keep in mind the context of this exchange and instead focus on the initial sender who started the social media ‘altercation.’

• The direct message was sent to Zach’s mom some time between the Jets game on Thursday night and the following Friday by 4PM based on the content of the first message and the time the image was posted. (Looks like 3:27 PM on Friday to be exact.)
• The Thursday Night game was probably the low point of Zach’s career, as it all but signaled the end of the Jets’ faith in him as a QB for the rest of this season as minimum. In support, he will not be dressing for the upcoming Jets game this Sunday as even the second string backup. 
• The Jets declaring the end of their faith in him is the undesirable culmination of a lifelong process and dream for Zach. One does not become an NFL player without putting countless hours in. In Zach’s case, he not only made the NFL, but did it against the odds to some extent given his high school ranking (three star prospect) and his projected draft ranking the year before his breakout season at BYU (perhaps undrafted). That kind of rise at the college level does not happen by accident, and is the result of a guy who by all accounts put the time in to improve at the college level (some of which is detailed here: https://www.deseret.com/sports/2021/1/3/22195624/byu-football-zach-wilson-lds-mormon-heisman-finalists-nfl-draft-2021-john-beck-3dqb-camp).
• That same work ethic was apparent with Zach at the NFL level, with Saleh providing the below quote to Albert Breer (https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/07/19/mmqb-robert-saleh-jets-adversity-alex-gibbs-vaccines) about Zach during Zach’s rookie year. This isn’t a guy who got his money and then mentally clocked out. 

“He’s a relentless worker. And I mean this, there’s guys who watch film, and then there’s guys that watch film almost religiously, and he’s one of those guys. He’s constantly trying to find ways to absorb information and learn. He’s wearing out the quarterback coach with film study. He’s relentless in that regard. His mental horsepower is off the charts.”

• The direct message was sent to his mom. I’m not sure about you all, but few people in my experience are more defensive, protective, and supportive than an involved Mom, which, by all accounts, Zach’s seems to be. Given the context of Zach’s struggles despite trying to work through them and said struggles leading to the uncertainty around his long-term career prospects to do his dream job, I get why the message would have elicited an emotional response.
• The direst message was sent to his mom the day before Christmas Eve. Talk about the ‘Jets fan’ being a Scrooge-esque character.

All of this to say, I get that Zach has been bad. I imagine Zach and everyone around him knows the same. While there may be some arguing as to why, it doesn’t change the fact that this isn’t how he saw his career going. And by some accounts, his struggles have already been doing some harm to his mental health with him developing the dreaded ‘yips.’

While he stinks, there’s still room for kindness. Players are people too with hopes and dreams and loved ones that care about them. We shouldn’t lose sight of that. Be better than this ‘Jets fan.’

[Larz]

We’re not all Kevin’s. I met some really really cool people at the tailgate. 

[jgb]

1 minute ago, Larz said:

We’re not all Kevin’s. I met some really really cool people at the tailgate. 

Sadly the maniacs get the airtime 

[More Cowbell]

I honestly have never seen anything like this. Don't  hurt Zach's  feelings. What kind of BS is this. The guynis being paid millions to play a kids game and he sucks at it. 

[billo83]

Messaging the Mom or any family member for that matter is beyond ridiculous. 

That being said, Zach deserves the boos and criticism of his atrocious play. If he can't handle that, he has no business being in the NFL period. 

Cry me a river. I'd sign up for all the booing for all the millions he's getting for playing like crap. 

[32EBoozer]

10 minutes ago, More Cowbell said:

The guy is being paid millions to play a kids game and he sucks at it. 

Pretty childlike view. It stopped being a”kids game” when you are being recruited at the college level and especially at the pro level. Have you ever read “North Dallas 40” by Peter Gent? It’s a business where the focus is winning…. many times at the cost of a player (CTE, wrecked knees due to astroturf)

I think ZW is done here in NY. I do think the personal attacks regarding the players we root for is problematic.

[jgb]

1 hour ago, More Cowbell said:

I honestly have never seen anything like this. Don't  hurt Zach's  feelings. What kind of BS is this. The guynis being paid millions to play a kids game and he sucks at it. 

Funny part is same who say you need to preserve a rookie’s confidence by avoiding the meat grinder of camp competition, also say chill him on the bench for 2 years behind a JAG journeyman so he can “learn how it is done.”

[Gastineau Lives]

1 hour ago, More Cowbell said:

I honestly have never seen anything like this. Don't  hurt Zach's  feelings. What kind of BS is this. The guynis being paid millions to play a kids game and he sucks at it. 

If he was related to you you’d be saying the same thing, right?

 

[More Cowbell]

2 hours ago, 32EBoozer said:

Pretty childlike view. It stopped being a”kids game” when you are being recruited at the college level and especially at the pro level. Have you ever read “North Dallas 40” by Peter Gent? It’s a business where the focus is winning…. many times at the cost of a player (CTE, wrecked knees due to astroturf)

I think ZW is done here in NY. I do think the personal attacks regarding the players we root for is problematic.

We disagree.  They are very talented but ask any pro what they think of their job. Most will admit they are blessed to be doing this. You are playing a game and being paid millions to do it. Oh, and I know this is a business and North Dallas 40 was an autobiography but don't  believe everything you read

 

[More Cowbell]

1 hour ago, Gastineau Lives said:

If he was related to you you’d be saying the same thing, right?

 

What difference does that make. My daughter was a pitcher on her high-school  softball team. She loaded the bases in the 9th inning with a 1 run lead and her coach took her out. She left the game crying. I told her this is how it is in sports. Your coach was trying to win. If you are going to react like this, you should quit (relief  pitcher have up a double on the first pitch btw) 

[JETS SB]

36 minutes ago, More Cowbell said:

What difference does that make. My daughter was a pitcher on her high-school  softball team. She loaded the bases in the 9th inning with a 1 run lead and her coach took her out. She left the game crying. I told her this is how it is in sports. Your coach was trying to win. If you are going to react like this, you should quit (relief  pitcher have up a double on the first pitch btw) 

I am happy your daughter was benched. 

[pointman]

Social media is hot garbage. And morons who type stupid sh*t, including to peoples moms, should be held accountable. I hope social media dies. The internet can go too. You guys can come over my house and we can play pin the tail on the Kevin and eat Hot Cheetos and calzones.

[More Cowbell]

6 minutes ago, JETS SB said:

I am happy your daughter was benched. 

Why? Are you a Manhasset fan?

[kevinc855]

3 hours ago, Larz said:

We’re not all Kevin’s. I met some really really cool people at the tailgate. 

I would never DM someones family member.......heckle them outside at a stadium after scoring 3 points in the rain.....yes i would

[Jetsfan80]

1 hour ago, JETS SB said:

I am happy your daughter was benched. 

^^^ Calls Jets fans toxic.  Goes after a poster's daughter.

[freestater]

Going after Dimple's mom is bad form and definitely wrong. I think that can be universally agreed upon. What I dont hear a lot of though, is Lisa shouldn't be making wild, inflammatory generalizations about the fanbase for whom her son plays. What a bad decision. 

[Warfish]

Didn’t we already have a lengthy thread going on this topic?  We’ve been covering this, maybe just read that thread?

[Trotter]

3 minutes ago, freestater said:

Going after Dimple's mom is bad form and definitely wrong. I think that can be universally agreed upon. What I dont hear a lot of though, is Lisa shouldn't be making wild, inflammatory generalizations about the fanbase for whom her son plays. What a bad decision. 

True and make those comments on the same stupid media platform in which they were directed at her.

she is/wants to be a social media star.

well the old saying of you reap what you soo applies.

[extmenace]

To be a starting NFL QB you have to have every box checked. That includes having thick skin, confidence, being a leader, and having a strong mind. For all the athleticism and arm talent he has, it doesn’t mean anything if the mental aspect is weak. This is the job he signed up for. There was a floor and a ceiling when he signed his 35 million dollar contract. While I can say that the way people are treating him and his family is a bit ridiculous, this is not exclusive to the jets fan base. Every fan base will boo you when you suck and talk sh*t about you on social media when you are having bad games. This is the atmosphere. If you can’t handle it, you can’t be a starting NFL QB.

[JiFtheOracle]

This is the only social media I take part in, so I truly dont understand this world but I have to imagine that pro athletes, celebrities and now the "influencers" (which Mrs. Wilson tries to be, right?) that have accounts, probably get "hate messages" and criticism just as much as they do accolades, no?  I mean, people used to send hate mail via snail mail so I assume the ease of social media only intensifies this behavior.  So like, why did Mrs. Wilson accept the message?  Why read it?  Why respond?  Who gives a **** what some random jackass says too you?   I really dont understand humans sometimes. 

[Mo Lew]

4 hours ago, More Cowbell said:

What difference does that make. My daughter was a pitcher on her high-school  softball team. She loaded the bases in the 9th inning with a 1 run lead and her coach took her out. She left the game crying. I told her this is how it is in sports. Your coach was trying to win. If you are going to react like this, you should quit (relief  pitcher have up a double on the first pitch btw) 

You saying that to your daughter is your prerogative and I agree. 

A stranger/loser texting that info to you and adding that your daughter makes their lives miserable is a COMPLETELY different thing.  Sender needs to go find a new hobby.   

[More Cowbell]

11 minutes ago, Mo Lew said:

You saying that to your daughter is your prerogative and I agree. 

A stranger/loser texting that info to you and adding that your daughter makes their lives miserable is a COMPLETELY different thing.  Sender needs to go find a new hobby.   

I just think when you become a public figure, people are not always going to have nice things to say. I also said those things to my kid in a caring way. I was explaining to her it was just the game and not her.  Sports is cruel imo. You have to have a thick skin. 

[32EBoozer]

6 hours ago, More Cowbell said:

Most will admit they are blessed to be doing this

ZW would agree also. He loves football and has had a modicum of success at every level except his current position as an NFL QB. I’m sure he will keep grinding in the hope of achieving success. In the meantime he’ll have to endure the insults. The $8mil or so will help alleviate the pain

[Maxman]

6 hours ago, pointman said:

Social media is hot garbage. And morons who type stupid sh*t, including to peoples moms, should be held accountable. I hope social media dies. The internet can go too. You guys can come over my house and we can play pin the tail on the Kevin and eat Hot Cheetos and calzones.

Saw Darron Lee's Mom get the business from a drunk fan in Detroit before Darnold's first game. Guy was telling her to tell her son he lost his heart, forgot how to tackle. Really getting into it with her. She handled it well but I think he felt like she was going to pass this pep talk on.

Funny thing is Darron Lee had a great game that day.

[Jet Nut]

10 hours ago, More Cowbell said:

I honestly have never seen anything like this. Don't  hurt Zach's  feelings. What kind of BS is this. The guynis being paid millions to play a kids game and he sucks at it. 

It’s not about Zach, it’s about his mom being harassed and coming to her sons defense.  
Some have completely missed the point,  tryin to make it about poor zach when it’s all about Zach’s mom who was attacked by a classless fan who was off base and she reacted.  Had nothing to do with Zach.  Where exactly does it say Zach’s feelings were hurt?  

[Larz]

Just gonna leave this here lol 

 

[jgb]

11 hours ago, JETS SB said:

I am happy your daughter was benched. 

What a chooch

[More Cowbell]

7 hours ago, Jet Nut said:

It’s not about Zach, it’s about his mom being harassed and coming to her sons defense.  
Some have completely missed the point,  tryin to make it about poor zach when it’s all about Zach’s mom who was attacked by a classless fan who was off base and she reacted.  Had nothing to do with Zach.  Where exactly does it say Zach’s feelings were hurt?  

So one fan is an idiot but we should pontificate  to an entire fanbase? Also, Zach’s  mother must have made it know who she is. Most smart people don't  make their identity  made public over the internet unless you are trying to monetize  your presence. Unless she is completely  naive,  she had to know this was coming. I'm not saying it was right, but this is what the internet is. 

[Jet Nut]

1 hour ago, More Cowbell said:

So one fan is an idiot but we should pontificate  to an entire fanbase? Also, Zach’s  mother must have made it know who she is. Most smart people don't  make their identity  made public over the internet unless you are trying to monetize  your presence. Unless she is completely  naive,  she had to know this was coming. I'm not saying it was right, but this is what the internet is. 

Like her or not she was on Instagram before anyone knew who her son was.  It’s her right.  Taking Zachs failures out on his mother is classless and shows the guy who went after her is a pos.  She responded.  So what?  Funny that some are in full agreement that because she’s on instagram she should expect it, defending the pos’s right to go after her but then chastise her for responding.  Odd at best. 
Of course all of this is just my opinion on right and wrong, nothing more.  I’m betting most agree this fan crossed the line.  But more importantly what does this have to do with Zach?  Specifically feeling bad for his feeling and whatever you were giving him grief for?  It has nothing to do with him at all, it had everything to do with the idea questioning whether parents, family members are off base or is ok to sling garbage at an athletes mother because you don’t like him.  You don’t like Zach and want to rip into him on his instagram that’s fine, leave his mom out of this is all I’m saying and the author was saying 

[More Cowbell]

15 minutes ago, Jet Nut said:

Like her or not she was on Instagram before anyone knew who her son was.  It’s her right.  Taking Zachs failures out on his mother is classless and shows the guy who went after her is a pos.  She responded.  So what?  Funny that some are in full agreement that because she’s on instagram she should expect it, defending the pos’s right to go after her but then chastise her for responding.  Odd at best. 
Of course all of this is just my opinion on right and wrong, nothing more.  I’m betting most agree this fan crossed the line.  But more importantly what does this have to do with Zach?  Specifically feeling bad for his feeling and whatever you were giving him grief for?  It has nothing to do with him at all, it had everything to do with the idea questioning whether parents, family members are off base or is ok to sling garbage at an athletes mother because you don’t like him.  

I was responding to what you wrote. I may have misunderstood the OP. We have seen a lot of don't  hurt Zach's  feelings post like you fail an IQ test if you boo him and such. 

[Jet Nut]

1 minute ago, More Cowbell said:

I was responding to what you wrote. I may have misunderstood the OP. We have seen a lot of don't  hurt Zach's  feelings post like you fail an IQ test if you boo him and such. 

Yeah, that’s fine.  I agree tear into Zach all you want.  Both the whole point of the piece was the mini storm over a fans right to rip into Zach’s mom or not. 
 

[DaJetsnut75]

Jet fans are generally New Yorkers.....

Will leave it at that

[More Cowbell]

1 minute ago, Jet Nut said:

Yeah, that’s fine.  I agree tear into Zach all you want.  Both the whole point of the piece was the mini storm over a fans right to rip into Zach’s mom or not. 
 

On Zach's  mom, I don't  believe she should be insulated from criticism.  She had publicly defended her sons  play when he sucked. If she is going to step into the fan fray, poop is going to happen. 

[Jet Nut]

9 minutes ago, More Cowbell said:

On Zach's  mom, I don't  believe she should be insulated from criticism.  She had publicly defended her sons  play when he sucked. If she is going to step into the fan fray, poop is going to happen. 

Yeah I just think she’s a parent who’s defended her son once with this guy for what I’ve seen.  I think she’s been quiet all through the low point of this season.  Maybe I’m wrong but I haven’t seen her engage fans before this.  

[pointman]

9 hours ago, Maxman said:

Saw Darron Lee's Mom get the business from a drunk fan in Detroit before Darnold's first game. Guy was telling her to tell her son he lost his heart, forgot how to tackle. Really getting into it with her. She handled it well but I think he felt like she was going to pass this pep talk on.

Funny thing is Darron Lee had a great game that day.

That was even hard to read. I can't imagine exposing my mom, or anyone's really, to that.