Jets owner Woody Johnson confirmed Sunday that head coach Rex Ryan’s $50,000 fine for flipping his middle finger at a mixed martial arts event last week will not be repealed.
“Despite the provocation, you still have to act a certain way,” Johnson said.
Ryan’s bird-flipping was his reaction to a fan that reportedly spit on him three times, called Ryan a “fat piece of crap,” and wished death upon the coach.
“That’s the story [Ryan] recited to me as well, about what actually happened,” continued Johnson. ”The [fan] was uncontrollable and that’s corroborated by [reporter Jay] Glazer. That still doesn’t excuse what Rex did. He represents the New York Jets, the NFL, and the fans of New York. He’s got to not put himself in those kinds of situations.
“Rex is an an authentic person. It’s one of the reasons he’s an effective coach. He’s a real person. Right from the beginning, I said we were going to make mistakes — both he, me — but we’re going to be very open. So we’re going to step on it occasionally, and this one we stepped on.
“It’s no bigger than that. It’s done.”
I bet Woody Johnson NEVER had someone spitting on him.
This fine should be be repealed.
The guy he flipped off sounds like a real winner.
I was in Toronto for the Bills/Jets game. Went to the Hockey Hall of Fame with all my Bills gear on. One of the guides started chattin me up and said he was surprised that Rex Ryan hadn’t popped in yet as he usually does. Anyway, while paying for souvenirs, outta the corner of my eye, theres Rex. I said “Hey Rex and walked right up to him. no insults, no spit. He looked at my Bills gear and said ” Oh man..Its ON tonight.” Shook his hand and said “Good luck tonight Coach”. Seriously folks, its just a game..relax.
He represents the fans of NY? Then a middle finger seems appropriate!
Really though, this fine sets a very bad standard. If opposing fans think they can spit on coaches/players and cause them to get fined, then it will happen more often.
Woody Johnson probably gave Rex the money to pay the fine right before he issued it. Duh.
As much as I hate Rex Ryan and the Jets, I think Ryan actually restrained himself rather well. I would have wanted to kick the guys teeth in.
$50,000 could pay for a part time bodyguard for awhile.
“Rex Ryan’s Bodyguard beats shi*t out of fan who spit on Ryan” is more appealing than “Ryan fined for flipping bird.”
Not knowing all the details of this incident. Well, at least the spitting part, I say the Jets should give him 50 grand for restraining himself. No one deserves to be spat on, and Ryan should have kicked his ass….
I have a question that I have not seen the answer to which goes a long way in how I evaluate Ryan’s actions. Obviously this fan crossed the line several areas – but people in Ryan’s position get paid a lot of money to deal with fan’a abuse. Regarding the spitting – does anyone know whether it was literally intentional spitting, or was it a slobbering drunk who in barraging Ryan with verbal abuse, spittled in the process?
“Woody” says:
“… we’re going to step on it occasionally, and this one we stepped on.”
that is just classic ….
Woody gave Ryan his Twinkies gift card back.
As a Bills fan, I usually laugh anytime something happens to a division rival. In this case, I think its BS that he gets fined. What was he supposed to do in this situation? Nothing illegal or bad about giving someone the finger, especially if well deserved.
WashingtonRedstorms, your twinkies jokes on every jets post are so funny!!! Twinkes gift card….classic! You should try to get a comedy gig because you seriously have some talent.
While this fan went over the line, any coach who brings himself down to the level of talking smack with other teams and players is inviting rude responses from fans.
In other words, seeing as he’s not inclined to act like a professional coach, Ryan should not be surprised by his “welcome” in Miami and should be prepared for it elsewhere.
This whole situation was exacerbated by the fact that Ryan misheard the fan. It would be one thing if the fan said “I hope you Die” – Ryan could have taken that.
Ryan misheard him say “I hope you Diet” – hence Ryan’s waving with less than five fingers is that much more understandable.
The guy was at an MMA event watching something non-football related. If someone were to spit on him and make death threats, the middle finger is the tamest form of retaliation.
I’m really hoping they retract the fine. He isn’t there to represent the NFL or the Jets… he is there to watch two dudes fight each other. Come on.
Aw that fat hillbilly can pay it. Just pay the money you classless piece of trailer trash.
I think everyone should be allowed to spit on any New York fan without being harassed or flipped off. The fine stays!
Frankly, Mr.Ryan had every moral right to pound that punk. All he did is make a gesture, after what the law might consider assault (spitting). The fact that he didn’t break the jerk’s jaw shows restraint to me. The Jet’s owner is just covering his booty on that, after his season is already over. Knee-jerk reaction to me. Every player on that team should chip in to pay that fine for their Coach. That would show some real class.
I’d say Rex Ryan represented “the fans of New York” very accurately.
Ryan’s players spill more in Crown Royal on an average night at the boozer than the entire amount of the fine. Let one of the bonus babies pay for it out of that day’s lunch money.
New York fans complaining about rudeness????
Love,
Emerson Boozer
TampaJoey says:
February 7, 2010 3:07 PM
I think everyone should be allowed to spit on any New York fan without being harassed or flipped off. The fine stays!
You are 100% right. In fact you should lead by example and come up here and try it for yourself. Just once.
Good luck!!!!!!!!!! Moron
Maybe if he had a head of hair like his brother’s then that wouldn’t happen.
Wonder how many other NFL coaches could withstand being spat upon three times, sworn at, and called insulting names, and still retaliate IN SILENCE, WITH NO PHYSICAL CONTACT, and only one offensive finger.
I’d have fined him one dollar, to honor the principle of good behavior, & sent him on his way.
“I’m really hoping they retract the fine. He isn’t there to represent the NFL or the Jets… he is there to watch two dudes fight each other. Come on.”
But he WAS there representing the Jets and the NFL. He was introduced as the Jets head coach and he got on the PA system and boasted to the MIAMI crowd that he and the Jets were going to beat the Dolphins twice next season. Everyone conveniently leaves out that fact when decrying Ryan’s fine. He was talking smack to a hostile crowd. What did he expect? That doesn’t excuse the stupid fan’s behavior, but it sure puts into context. If Ryan would think for once before opening his mouth, maybe he wouldn’t put himself in such situations.`
TampaJoey says:
“I think everyone should be allowed to spit on any New York fan without being harassed or flipped off. The fine stays!”
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Seeing as you’re in Tampa, shouldn’t you be more concerned with trying to keep your 13 year old from getting pregnant again?
that fan is a classless idiot. he should be glad he didn’t get his arse kicked that day.
God’s Own Silver and Blue says:
“Ryan’s players spill more in Crown Royal on an average night at the boozer than the entire amount of the fine. Let one of the bonus babies pay for it out of that day’s lunch money.”
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The Jets usually go with their wives and hang out at Bart Scott’s house, playing video games and having dinner together, not NY nightclubs. Wrong team. Nice try, though. They’re classier than you think. If you’re going to be a hater, at least be good at it.
# TampaJoey says: February 7, 2010 3:07 PM
I think everyone should be allowed to spit on any New York fan without being harassed or flipped off. The fine stays!
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I think that you should say that to a Jets fans face…then spit on them and see what happens…you’re team sucks and weren’t relevant the entire season. I would say start looking forward to baseball season, but the Yankees will dominate you, too. NYC/NJ = Best Place on Earth
Byrd Is The Word, TampaJoey, Bazooka Joe, Desides – In the words of one you lame brains – classless trailer trash.
Grow up and get over. We’ve heard it all before. NY will be here long after you guys six-feet under.