by Ray Romano is like any other New York Jets fan at the start of the NFL season. He just wants to see his team win a second Super Bowl championship for the first time since the 1968 season.
But there are reasons to be hopeful.
The Jets are coming off a season in which Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner won Rookie of the Year awards for offense and defense, respectively. The team made one of the largest trades in franchise history, acquiring Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers. All while their defense was fourth in yards allowed and points allowed.
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Ray Romano attends the New York Jets vs. Seattle Seahawks game at MetLife Stadium on October 2, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Al Pereira/WireImage)
But to Romano, a New York City native who is also a New York Yankees fan, he seemed to have cautious hopes about the Jets’ prospects. When asked if he was more optimistic about the Jets or the Yankees, the comedian replied that the Yankees “always have potential” to make a run, whereas the Jets can always break you down on Sundays.
“It seems like the Jets … every year I’m hopeful and optimistic, and it just doesn’t work out,” he told Fox News Digital in a recent interview ahead of the American Century Championship later this week. “But I will never give up. I will never give up on them. And my children are the same way.
“My boys followed me and even more. They are super intransigent. [Jets fans]Romano continued. “They put on the uniforms every Sunday. They put on the shirts and the hats and all that. But I mean, listen, there’s excitement around the Jets right now. I’m trying not to get too caught up because I’ve been there before, but you can’t help but be excited about what’s going on with them right now.”
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Ray Romano wears the new New York Jets “Color Rush” jersey as he attends the New York Jets vs Jacksonville Jaguars game at MetLife Stadium on November 8, 2015 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Al Pereira/GC Images)
Romano admitted that he’s “very superstitious” when it comes to the important things in his life, from his sports teams to even the projects he’s working on.
But going from two wins to four wins to seven wins in three years and adding Rodgers on top of that has to make the “Everybody Loves Raymond” star feel pretty good about his team, right?
“You’re going to jinx,” he told Fox News Digital. “It’s like telling a guy he’s got a no-hitter. “That’s too much expectation. I just directed a movie and my agent was telling everyone to go see it and how great it was and I was telling them not to overdo it. Do not overdo it because they will only be disappointed. They could only go down.”
“So with the Jets, I’d like to be enthusiastic and optimistic, but within reason. It’s still football. I’ve been there before and s–t. The first six games are like the toughest schedule in the entire league.” . So who knows what could happen? However, it’s nice to start a season with a bit of excitement.”
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Ray Romano waves to the camera at American Century 2022. (Kurtis Rix/American Century Championship)
Before the Jets take the field for any type of game (regular season or preseason), Romano will participate in the American Century Celebrity Golf Tournament near Lake Tahoe.
It has been participating in the tournament for about 20 years.
Edgewood Tahoe in Nevada is expected to have crowds of around 50,000 during the event. Tony Romo enters as the current champion and among the favorites to win the tournament. The tournament has raised more than $7 million for charity since it began more than three decades ago.
Romano said having a full house on the field and being able to see his colleagues in the business and the athletes he watches on TV is part of the fun for him.
“It’s fun to take a big shot in front of an audience,” he said, adding that his children come to the event with him and they used to walk the field when they were younger, but not so much anymore. “But they’re all sports fans, and it’s such a thrill for them to be there and to walk with Charles Barkley, Tony Romos and Aaron Rodgers and meet these guys.”
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“It’s a big thrill for them, too. It’s exciting. And we’re Jet fans, so this year we’re excited because Aaron Rodgers is our quarterback now, so let’s go say hello to him.”
