Mashup: 'Fireman Ed' fed up with Jets fans

"Fireman Ed" Anzalone, the diehard Jets fan who leads the J-E-T-S chants from his seat at MetLife Stadium, announced Sunday that he will no longer be a cheerleader for the team. Anzalone, in a guest column for New York Metro, explained that he left Thursday's 49-19 embarrassment against the Patriots before halftime not because it was a rout but because of confrontations with fellow Jets fans that have grown more frequent.

Wrote Anzalone:

We have had much worse teams than this and I never left before. I pride myself in that, because I am not a quitter.

I decided to leave Thursday because the confrontations with other Jets fans have become more common, even though most Jets fans are fantastic.

This is an indication of how society has lost and is continuing to lose respect for one another. The stadium has become divided because of the quarterback controversy as well. The fact that I chose to wear a Mark Sanchez jersey this year and that fans think I am on the payroll -- which is an outright lie -- have made these confrontations more frequent. Whether it’s in the stands, the bathroom or the parking lot, these confrontations are happening on a consistent basis.

Although I can “hold my own,” I do not want to lose my temper and make a stupid mistake. I have a responsibility to the families and kids that enjoy the game and Fireman Ed.

I have enjoyed my time in chanting the greatest chant in all of sports. I have enjoyed meeting all the wonderful Jets fans around the world and look forward to the day we all can raise the Lombardi Trophy as one and celebrate a world championship down the Canyon of Heroes!

I will always love the Jets because they are in my heart, and I will attend games as usual, just not as Fireman Ed. God bless and, as always, let’s go Jets!

Read more about that story and others, plus check out videos, trivia and more, at Monday's Morning Mashup [1].