The New York Jets lost the matriarch of their family on their Friday night as Betty Wold Johnson, the mother of team owners Christopher Johnson and Woody Johnson, passed away at the age of 99.
Betty was often referred to as “The First Lady of the Jets” by players, all of whom she called her “grandchildren.”
“When I think of her, I think of her as ‘The First Lady of the Jets,'” former quarterback Chad Pennington said, via the team’s website. “I think of Ms. Johnson as nothing but first class with how she treated people, how she carried herself and how she represented herself and her family.”
Shortly after the Jets announced Betty’s passing, the New York Giants released a short statement on social media expressing their condolences.
The New York Giants extend their deepest sympathy and condolences to the Johnson family and the New York Jets on the passing of Betty Wold Johnson.
— New York Giants (@Giants) May 8, 2020
Woody purchased the Jets in 2000 and they immediately became a big part of Betty’s life.
However, long before Betty became involved with the Jets, she enlisted in the Navy’s WAVE following the attack on Pearl Harbor. She was stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas and also helped train fighter pilots in simulators at Rhode Island’s Naval Air Station.
Like the Giants, we offer our condolences to the entire Jets family.
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