Tag: Christopher Johnson

Jets cancel practice Thursday as sports world responds to Jacob Blake shooting

The Jets were among the NFL teams that opted against practicing Thursday in response to the Jacob Blake shooting.

The Jets were among the NFL teams that opted against practicing Thursday in response to the weekend shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by Kenosha, Wisconsin police.

The Jets have yet to publically state a reason for canceling practice, but the decision follows Wednesday’s postponement of all NBA and WNBA games, as well as a few MLB games, as a form of protesting the Blake shooting and racial and social injustice in the United States. The Indianapolis Colts and Washington Football Team were among the teams that also canceled practice, while the Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears delayed their practices to discuss social change and issues, per ESPN.

The Jets’ field was set up for practice, which usually begins at 9:20 a.m., according to ESPN, but the canceled session was confirmed at 9:24 a.m.

The Jets have been discussing racial and social issues over the past two days. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, CEO and acting owner Christopher Johnson spoke during a virtual team meeting on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Bradley McDougald and Jamison Crowder shared their hopes for potential action with reporters, as did Marcus Maye earlier in the week.

“Just see me as a human,” Crowder said. “It’s tough, man, but I’m good. We’re trying to come up with a plan as a receiver group and as a team to bring awareness and just do something in the community to try and bring people together. I’m good.”

The Jets have publically supported causes in the name of racial and social justice since Johnson took over the team. However, the CEO’s brother and team owner, Woody Johnson, was recently accused of making racist and sexist remarks while serving as the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom. Both Johnsons denied those allegations — Christopher addressed the situation with the team — but a State Department report found otherwise.

State Department report: Jets’ Woody Johnson ’made inappropriate or insensitive comments’

A State Department report obtained by ESPN shed more light on the investigation into Jets owner Woody Johnson.

More details have emerged regarding racist and sexist comments allegedly made by Jets owner Woody Johnson.

A 39-page report from U.S. State Department consisting of interviews and questionnaires with employees at the United States Embassy in London determined Johnson “sometimes made inappropriate or insensitive comments on topics generally considered Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)-sensitive, such as religion, sex, or color,” according to the document obtained by ESPN.

The report references allegations in stories from The New York Times and CNN that Johnson made racist and sexist remarks during his time as U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, a position he assumed in 2017.

Johnson allegedly asked if the crowd for a 2018 Black History Month event would be comprised of “a whole bunch of Black people,” and why African Americans want a Black History Month. He also allegedly purported that Black fathers abandoning their families was the “real challenge.  Johnson also made disparaging comments about women, including objectifying their appearance and clothes and saying he prefers working with them because they’re cheaper than men. 

Johnson denied the allegations vehemently, both in a statement on Twitter and in the State Department report. 

“If I have unintentionally offended anyone in the execution of my duties, I deeply regret that, but I do not accept that I have treated employees with disrespect or discriminated in any way,” Johnson said, per the report obtained by ESPN. 

Johnson has also been accused of using his position to promote President Trump’s businesses overseas, a claim which Johnson also denied. 

The NFL referred questions on the matter to the State Department, while a State Department spokesperson said Johnson is “a valued member of the team who has led Mission U.K. honorably and professionally.” The Jets, Johnson’s brother, Christopher, and general manager Joe Douglas also defended Johnson.

The Office of the Inspector General concluded that “a more thorough review by the dept is warranted” after the extent of Johnson’s alleged actions were realized. Johnson said he and his staff have or will review courses on work-place discrimination, but that wasn’t enough to curb the OIG’s investigation, which began in 2019.

Nick Mangold mocks Jamal Adams after safety says he plans to retire with Seahawks

Nick Mangold pokes fun at Jamal Adams for saying he wanted to retire a Seahawk.

When Jamal Adams said that his plan was to retire with the Seahawks, the sentiment struck many as familiar. It certainly was to Jets great Nick Mangold, who couldn’t help but mock the quote on Twitter.

Adams spoke publicly Thursday for the first time since the Jets traded him and a 2022 fourth-round pick to Seattle for Bradley McDougald, a 2021 first-round pick, a 2021 third-round pick and a 2022 first-round pick. On his call with Seattle media, Adams said, “the plan is to retire here.”

Mangold’s response? A GIF of The Office character Kevin Malone laughing:

Adams’ comment doesn’t carry much weight because he said the exact same thing in November regarding the Jets. Back then, Christopher Johnson said he wanted Adams on the Jets for the rest of his career. Adams responded to Johnson’s comment by saying he wanted to be a “Jet for life, too.” This was even after Joe Douglas listened to offers for Adams prior to last year’s trade deadline.

However, a lot changed since November. After Douglas said planned on making Adams a “Jet for life” in February, Adams claimed he never received an extension offer from the front office and requested a trade. Douglas said he never promised a contract extension. The Jets had no reason to give Adams an extension because he had two years left on his rookie deal.

Adams spent the offseason ripping the team and its decision-makers on social media and then in the tabloids. He publicly called out Douglas and Adam Gase in a story in the Daily News. Adams also ripped owner Woody Johnson for allegedly making racist and sexist comments. Ultimately, Adams did get his wish and was dealt to Seattle.

Now he’s saying he wants to stay there for the rest of his career. We’ll see about that.

‘We want guys who want to be here’: Adam Gase talks Jamal Adams, Sam Darnold & more

Adam Gase faced the music on Tuesday, as he addressed all things from the Jamal Adams trade to the Jets COVID-19 plans.

With players and coaches all finally allowed in the team’s facilities, Adam Gase is excited to embark on his second season as Jets head coach.

For Gase, there have been no shortages of headlines this offseason. While Joe Douglas stepped up to the plate first to answer questions regarding the Jamal Adams trade and the team’s future, it was Gase’s turn on Tuesday. Speaking on a conference call, the Jets head coach addressed the trade, comments made by Adams himself and what some of New York’s plans for the 2020 season may entail.

Here are the biggest takeaways from Gase’s call.

Refuting Adams

(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

While Adam Gase wishes Jamal Adams “nothing but the best” as the All-Pro safety heads to Seattle, the Jets head coach dismissed the notion that he failed to address the team during halftime of every game.

Gase responded to Adams claims, telling reporters that “it’s hard for me to address that when I know the correct answer.” Gase pointed to two likely times that Adams didn’t hear his former head coach address the team. Last year, in Week 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Adams was in the training room during halftime. In Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens, Adams was inactive and did not play.

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Ex-Jets GM: Christopher Johnson must take action after allegations against brother Woody

Former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum believes Christopher Johnson needs to address allegations of racist and sexist remarks made by Woody Johnson.

Former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum wants Christopher Johnson to step up and take charge following allegations of racism, sexism and corruption against his brother.

On Wednesday, CNN reported that Woody Johnson allegedly asked why African Americans would want a Black History Month, resited an event in which he asked if the crowd would be comprised of  “a whole bunch of black people,” and referred to Black fathers leaving their families as the “real challenge” while working as United States ambassador to the United Kingdom. He also allegedly objectified, excluded and belittled women and women’s related events on multiple occasions and attempted to use his position to benefit President Donald Trump’s personal finances.

The Jets released a statement in response to the allegations shortly after they surfaced, but Christopher’s name was not attached. He has yet to comment on his brother’s alleged racist and sexist remarks. Tannenbaum believes it is pertinent that he does as soon as possible.

“He needs to take control of the situation,” Tannenbaum said on ESPN’s Get Up. “He is the acting owner of the Jets right now. He needs to get in front of the organization today on a virtual Zoom call and say ‘I am the owner. If you have any concerns, come talk to me. I’m troubled by these allegations, there needs to be an investigation, but I am here to support you. I am the acting owner of this team, come talk to me.'”

Tannenbaum worked for the Jets from 1997-2013. He spent the final seven years of his tenure with the organization working as general manager under Woody Johnson, placing him in direct correspondence with the 73-year-old on a regular basis.

“This is a very big opportunity for Chris Johnson, who is a very good person,” Tannebaum said. “I got to know him a little bit, but not nearly as well as I got to know Woody Johnson. This is an opportunity for Chris Johnson to show he is in control and he is the owner. He has the ability to do it.

“With that said, an investigation can go on simultaneously, that the league should handle. This way, Chris Johnson can support Adam Gase, he can support Joe Douglas and most importantly those players, so they can be focused on the 2020 season, which we all know is going to be as challenging as it’s ever been in our history. It’s really an opportunity for Chris Johnson to step up and take control today.”

The allegations surrounding Woody Johnson surfaced in the midst of the NFL reckoning with its handling of racial and social injustice and sexual harassment against women. Since George Floyd’s killing at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derrick Chauvin, the league has announced donations to combat systemic racism, among other initiatives. The Washington football team and its owner, Daniel Snyder, have also come under fire for allegations of sexual harassment from 15 women.

Jamal Adams responds to Woody Johnson allegations: ‘Wrong is wrong!’

Jamal Adams became the first current Jets player to publically speak out against Woody Johnson in the wake of recent allegations against the team’s owner.

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Jamal Adams became the first current Jets player to publically speak out against Woody Johnson in the wake of recent allegations against the team’s owner.

Johnson, the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom who was appointed by President Donald Trump, was investigated by State Department watchdogs following allegations that he made racist and sexist comments to staff and attempted to use his government position to benefit Trump’s personal business in the UK, according to reports from The New York Times and CNN.

“We need the RIGHT people at the top,” Adams tweeted in response to the CNN article about Johnson. “Wrong is wrong!”

Adams later added, “If u don’t think this is wrong you’re part of the problem not the solution.”

The Jets have yet to respond to the allegations, but the league offered a tepid response, according to Manish Mehta of The New York Daily News:  

“We are aware of the report and would refer you to the State Department.”Per CNN, a State Department spokesperson issued a statement standing by the ambassador.

Johnson has been the ambassador to the UK since November 2017. His younger brother, Christopher, has been running the Jets as CEO and Chairman since. The elder Johnson’s three-year term as ambassador ends later this year.

Adams’ response to the allegations comes in the midst of his contractual disputes with the team. He wants either a lucrative contract extension or to be traded. Adams has been publically upset with the Jets for months now, but it’s unclear if his frustrations are directed at the Jets as a whole or particular members of the organization.

4 ways a canceled 2020 NFL season could impact the Jets

Jets Wire breaks down four ways the Jets will be impacted by a canceled 2020 season.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still in full swing, there is a chance the Jets do not take the field in 2020.

Although the NFL is moving toward re-opening team facilities in preparation for the upcoming season, there are still major questions about the league’s ability to play this Fall. According to National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Anthony Fauci, the NFL would have to emulate a “bubble” format similar to what the MLS and NBA have discussed in order to play in 2020.

“Unless players are essentially in a bubble — insulated from the community and they are tested nearly every day — it would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall,” Fauci told CNN. “If there is a second wave, which is certainly a possibility and which would be complicated by the predictable flu season, football may not happen this year.”

NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills acknowledged Fauci’s comments and said the league is working toward addressing issues to mitigate health risks, but that is far from a guarantee that football will be a go come September. The same goes for playing a full season.

So, what would a canceled 2020 season mean for the Jets? Here are some ways New York *could* be impacted if Fauci’s concerns come to fruition.

Christopher Johnson’s final days running the show?

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Even if football is played this Fall, Christopher Johnson’s days running the Jets could be numbered.

Woody Johnson’s term as United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom is set to end at the end of 2020. Assuming he decides not to take on another term or if Donald Trump loses November’s presidential election, Johnson will return to the States full time and will likely reassume control of the team he bought in 2000.

This means that Christopher will likely return to a secondary role in the organization. It will be interesting to see how the transition goes, as Christopher endeared himself to the players throughout his tenure as CEO — especially in light of recent social and racial injustices in America. Either way, there is a chance Christopher’s time in the spotlight could be over once football returns.

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‘A lot of talk no action’: Jamal Adams says Jets haven’t made extension offer

New York Jets safety Jamal Adams is not pleased with the way his contract negotiations with the Jets are going.

Jamal Adams is not pleased with the way his contract negotiations with the Jets are going.

Reports surfaced on Friday that the Browns and star defensive end Myles Garrett are discussing a mega-deal. Adams took to Instagram to congratulate Garrett and ripped New York’s front office in the process, saying the organization is “A lot of talk, no action.”

“I can’t even get my first proposal that they said they would send over in January…,” Adams said in an Instagram comment. “I was called ‘selfish’ tho! Lol A lot of talk no action #StayWoke.”

Adams and the Jets have long been at odds over his contract. New York’s All-Pro safety is entering the fourth year of his four-year, $22.2 million rookie contract and wants to get paid before his rookie deal expires. More specifically, all signs point to Adams wanting to get paid this offseason. Jets general manager Joe Douglas and CEO Christopher Johnson have maintained that they want to keep Adams in the Big Apple and make him a “Jet for life.” However, it appears the organization is not in a rush to do anything right away.

The Jets want to wait to extend Adams, largely because they hold all of the leverage in contract negotiations. He is signed through 2021 and New York could use the franchise tag on him once, or even twice. With that kind of financial control working in their favor, it makes sense that the Jets want to save some money and wait as long as possible to extend the LSU product.

Could a training camp holdout be in store once the Jets are able to return to their facilities? Adams refused to participate in New York’s virtual offseason program and it doesn’t look like contract negotiations between the two sides are going anywhere anytime soon. That could lead Adams to sit out until he gets a new deal or is traded, which does not seem likely at this time.

Either way, it looks like Adams is out of patience with the Jets’ front office. Until the two sides are able to come to some sort of agreement, don’t expect Gang Green’s most vocal player to pipe down about his contract until he gets his way.

C.J. Mosley unsure if he’ll kneel in 2020, wants Jets to have players-only meeting

C.J. Mosley wants the Jets can make a team decision on kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice.

Many NFL players will likely kneel during the national anthem in 2020 to continue raising awareness for societal and racial injustices in America. For some, it will be a personal choice. For others, like Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley, it might be a team choice.

Mosley knelt alongside players with the Ravens and the Jaguars before a 2017 game in the wake of President Donald Trump’s incendiary comments on the subject, but he said he isn’t sure if he’ll kneel in 2020. He would like the decision to protest by kneeling to be a group choice decided in a players-only meeting rather than an individual one.

“That’s something we [as Jets] have to do because it’s going to come up again. Some guys are definitely going to kneel again. Some guys won’t,” he said, according to ESPN. “I feel that as a team, as a leader, I need to talk to my teammates first and talk to coach [Adam] Gase and talk to the owner.”

The fight against police brutality and systemic racism continues to be one of the most important issues in the NFL – and the world – this year. Some of the most popular NFL players, including Jets safety Jamal Adams, vocalized their concerns on social media, took to the streets with protesters and sent a video to commissioner Roger Goodell asking him to condemn racism and say “Black Lives Matter.” Athletes from across the sports world even signed a petition urging Congress to pass a bill to eliminate qualified immunity for police.

Mosley hopes the increased activism among players will open up better communication between the front office and the locker room. He wants the dialogue to be help move the NFL through trying times, something it failed to do when Colin Kaepernick and other players first knelt during the anthem in 2016 and 2017.

“I hope the NFL and the owners can look back at that situation [in 2017] and make sure they handle it the right way,” Mosley said. “I would think the NFL and the owners and the coaches would have our backs 100 percent for support. We have to have that conversation to see where everybody’s mindset is.”

That process has already started. Goodell released a video apologizing for not listening to players who brought up the problems being protested in 2016 and said he encouraged them to keep peacefully protesting as well. Jets CEO Christopher Johnson recently gave his cell phone number to every player on the team and joined a players’ video conference to talk about the issues at hand in the hopes of opening up that line of communication.

CJ Mosley explains why Christopher Johnson gave his number to every Jets player

Amidst social and racial injustice that have sparked protests in America, Jets CEO Christopher Johnson is willing to listen to his players.

Jets CEO Christopher Johnson has always made it a point to take care of his players in the short time he’s been running the team.

That’s why it comes as no surprise that Johnson gave his cell phone number to every player on the team, according to Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley, who spoke with reporters over Zoom on Wednesday. Johnson informed the team that he was willing to listen if players wanted to reach out and talk about social and racial injustice with the topic at the forefront of America’s focus.

The Jets had already released a statement in which the organization vowed to take action and be part of meaningful conversations and positive change following the death of George Floyd. Johnson, however, wanted to make sure that his team heard him beyond the statement made on behalf of the organization.

This isn’t the first time that the Jets CEO has made it a point to listen to his players’ concerns regarding off-the-field matters. When the NFL originally proposed fining players who kneeled during the national anthem in 2018, Johnson backed players’ right to protest by offering to pay any fines they accumulated. Johnson has also gotten involved in community efforts organized by Jets players.

Like Mosley, former Jets Jermaine Kearse and Kelvin Beachum and former head coach Todd Bowles have expressed gratitude for Johnson’s willingness to listen and his ability to resonate with the organization.

Two years later, it appears that hasn’t changed.