Giants kicker Graham Gano might be forced to don the colors of the Jets on the football field this season, though it's for a good cause.
A good deed has led to cries of “oh no!” from Graham Gano.
The New York Giants’ record-setting kicker is entering the realm of coaching, taking on an assistant’s role with his son’s flag football team. Such organizations, especially those under the NFL FLAG banner, often don the identity of professional teams. Alas for the blue booter, the younger Gano’s squad has taken on the persona of the New York Jets.
Gano took to Twitter to express his mock displeasure for his involvement in the Jets’ latest coaching controversy, lamenting that he won’t be able to wear his son’s team’s gear come game day, considering that the Jets and Giants share a roommate’s rivalry as co-tenants of MetLife Stadium.
The football gods have a sense of humor apparently. I’m an assistant coach for my sons flag football team and we were picked to be the NY Jets. No way I can wear any of the gear. 😤😩. #TogetherBLUE
— Graham Gano (@GrahamGano) May 7, 2022
Gano later asked his 95,000-plus follower to help solve the moral puzzle for him, with the option of “Unacceptable” overwhelmingly beating out Gano’s solution of donning Jets gear under the guise of a paper bag mask.
As assistant coach of my sons flag football team (The NY Jets) can I possibly wear the team gear?
— Graham Gano (@GrahamGano) May 7, 2022
The Jets likely wouldn’t be opposed to Gano joining their ranks; the team has endured a revolving door in the kicker’s spot since Pro Bowl leg Jason Myers departed for Seattle after the 2019 season.
Gano, having worked with five professional squads since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2009, has made a bit of a home in New York. His conversion rate on triples over the last two seasons (92.3 percent) is fifth-best amongst kickers with at least 60 attempts.
Gang Green’s own kicking situation is set to be a battle between incumbent Eddy Pineiro, who converted 9-of-10 field goal attempts after coming on late in the season, and Greg Zuerlein, who spent the past two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.
The real Jets have likewise been active in the flag football scene. Jets principal owner Woody Johnson recently published an article in the New York Post reiterating and rededicating the Jets’ investment into the New York City’s Public Schools Athletic League’s efforts to turn girls’ flag football into a varsity sport, endeavors that have since expanded to New Jersey.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags