Fireman Ed Speaks Truth to Cultural Decay
*********************************************************************
An unlikely sage points out the slow death of common courtesy
*********************************************************************
In the future when archaeologists and historians are sifting through the dvds, memory sticks, computers and other media trying to understand this period, it is doubtful there will be much notice given to “Fireman Ed,” the NFL New York Jets’ iconic mascot. Fireman Ed is not a typical mascot on the field running around as an entertainer, but remains in the stands firing up the crowd and leading one of the sports world’s better known chants – “J-E-T-S, Jets! Jets! Jets!” (perhaps, though, the end of civilization will be traced back to him).
Fireman Ed is the Socrates of North Jersey in 2012
___________________________________
But on Friday, Fireman Ed decided to call it quits. He chose to no longer be the team’s main cheerleader because of confrontational Jets fans. Given an otherwise disappointing season, Jets fans have apparently began to take their anger out on Fireman Ed, who decided to wear a Mark Sanchez jersey to games this season (this is the first season he’s worn anything but a Bruce Harper jersey to a Jets’ game since 1986). “Whether it’s in the stands, the bathroom, or the parking lot, these confrontations are happening on a consistent basis,” Fireman Ed said.
Fireman Ed is on to something. From the checkout line at the store to driving on the roads and everything in between, ill-mannered confrontation has become the tactic of choice. And not just from a healthy sense of self-interest resulting in robust give-and-take but a take-no-prisoners approach to win the argument of the hour. Such is epitomized in how our leaders conduct themselves, from union heads to politicians. There is a win-at-all-cost approach that will not acknowledge the other side, let alone consider it. It’s no wonder that in some aspects this country is perceived in a decline.
In a farewell address that may not have risen to the level of George Washington’s or Dwight Eisenhower’s, Fireman Ed said “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.”
Magnanimous and (very) hopeful words, no doubt. But we can all thank Fireman Ed for pointing out that in our Age of Kardashian, the slow death of courtesy in too many quarters of society desperately needs a re-set.
-I.M. Windee
