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TRANSCRIPT
DECEMBER 2015 ISSUE 3
PAGE 1JETS LEGENDS NEWSLETTER
IN THIS ISSUE:2015 Pilots of the Game
A recap of Alumni Homecoming
Player SpotlightChris Hayes #30 - Defensive Back(1997-2001 )
Dear Alumni, It is great to be back here as the head coach of the 2015 Jets and to reconnect with all of you. The history of our team is important to this organization and I hope that you feel the same. Seeing you all out at practice during Training Camp in August meant a lot to me and to the current guys. It also means a lot to me having our Jets Legends come back to visit here at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center.
A lot of our current players understand that our alumni have established quite a tradition. They know about the Super Bowl and the Sack Exchange. They understand the grit that those guys put into those teams and how Shea Stadium was a hard place for opponents to play. It's a feeling we want to re-create at our stadium going forward.
Thank you for attending the Alumni Homecoming game in November. We were happy to celebrate our Jets Legends from all decades who were able to make it back. I hope you made some great memories from the day.
You were all great players that our current players don't always get to see, and I think it's good for you to come around because you can tell stories and share some of your experiences with the guys and you can participate in events that make you feel like a vital part of the organization.
Happy holidays and all the best.
Sincerely,
Todd BowlesHead Coach
HOMECOMING IN REVIEW: 2nd Annual NYJ Homecoming featuring the Super Bowl III reunion and the 2015 Ring of Honor induction of Emerson Boozer and Matt Snell.
WATCH: Sights and Sounds WATCH: SNY InterviewPHOTOS: View Photos WATCH: Halftime Ceremony WATCH: Intro Tunnel Run Out
SEPTEMBER 13 VS. CLEVELAND BROWNSSHAUN ELLIS #92
SEPTEMBER 27 VS. PHILADELPHIA EAGLESMARVIN JONES #55
OCTOBER 18 VS. WASHINGTON REDSKINSJOE KLECKO #73
NOVEMBER 8 VS. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARSKERRY RHODES #25
NOVEMBER 12 VS. BUFFALO BILLS2000 JETS DRAFT CLASS
NOVEMBER 29 VS. MIAMI DOLPHINSRING OF HONOR MEMBERS
DECEMBER 13 VS. TENNESSEE TITANSERIK MCMILLAN #22
DECEMBER 27 VS. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTSMO LEWIS #57
PAGE 2JETS LEGENDS NEWSLETTER
Jets continue the ‘Pilot of the Game’ tradition. Check out our 2015 Pilots!
Chris Hayes played with intensity and seriousness and a sense of purpose as a Jets safety and special-teamer. And he's displayed the same traits as he's built his family and his career post-football in Calabasas, northwest of Los Angeles.
"My wife Aran and I are celebrating 20 years of marriage this month," he said. "And we're blessed to have four beautiful children. My oldest son is Chris Jr., my second-oldest is Isaiah, my youngest son is Jeremiah, and my baby girl is Asia."
As for work, he's immersed himself in the battle against diabetes for Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical company.
"My father was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and my aunt passed from diabetes," he said. "It's some-thing I wanted to be informed about to help my father but also help people in general. And Eli Lilly is a great company that reminds me of playing in the NFL. The way they're structured, their business model — it's all about team."
Hayes, 43, may have left the game, but the game clearly hasn't left him. For one, his sons are following in Dad's footsteps.
"All three of them play ball," Chris said. "Chris Jr. is a junior defensive back at Oregon State. He's 6'2" and 195 to 198 pounds. The kid is very smart, and his feet are better than mine were, for sure. Isaiah committed early to the University of Arizona. He's 6'0", 185 to 189. He's a safety/corner at Calabasas High School and he likes to hit, he's very aggressive at the point of attack.
"And Jeremiah is a linebacker/safety. He's 10 years old and he might be better than all of them. He has phenom-enal instincts, and he's the only one of my sons that plays multiple sports. "
For inspiration, they all can read some of the clips that Hayes has laminated from his playing days. He was the Jets' seventh-round pick out of Washington State in the 1996 draft, was cut and went to the Packers, then returned to the Jets in time for the Bill Parcells/Bill Belichick in 1997.
At first he was a key special teams contributor. Then in 2000 he became a safety starter for eight games because one assistant coach said he deserved the opportunity. That secondary coach was none other than Todd Bowles, now the Jets' head coach.
"TB was just so real. There wasn't any sugar-coating with it. And Todd was a coach who kept his composure no matter what the situation was," Hayes recalled. "He basically forced the decision for me to go out there. He was like, 'We're going to put Chris in the game. That's what we're going to roll with.' "
Hayes cherishes those memories, of playing for some of "the greatest motivators of all time," his relationships with Bowles, Al Groh and special teams coach Mike Sweatman. And of wearing the green and white for five seasons.
"My experience in New York has made me a diehard. I'm here in Cali repping the New York Jets till the wheels fall of. My family bleeds green," Chris said. "And I'm happy Todd Bowles is at the reins, happy he's doing good."
Hayes had one other thought, for Jets players and fans and everyone else.
"Mention for me how important it is for people to get checked for Type 2 diabetes," he said. "A lot of athletes fall victim to diabetic complications. Take your health serious and get checked when you get to the age of 40 to 45. I'd be very excited if you can throw a plug in there."
Consider it done, Chris.
CHRIS HAYES
PAGE 3JETS LEGENDS NEWSLETTER
TRISH [email protected], EVENTS & GAMEDAY OPERATIONS
DAVE [email protected], PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
BRIAN [email protected] DIRECTOR, EVENTS & GAMEDAY OPERATIONS
SETH [email protected], MARKETING & FAN ENGAGEMENT
CHRIS [email protected] DIRECTOR, FAN COMMERCE
CLAY [email protected] DIRECTOR, FOOTBALL OPERATIONS
NEIL [email protected]
MIKE [email protected] MANAGER
JETSCONTACTS
MONTELLE SANDERS [email protected], PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
The NFL Legends Community, created in October 2013, was designed to connect former players with each other, their former teams, and the NFL. The NFL Legends Community was developed to celebrate and embrace all of these Legends. Our hope is to bring opportunities and information to Legends and keep them connected to the game they played and built.
NFL LEGENDS COMMUNITY
STAYCONNECTED
CONNECT WITH NFL LEGENDSSEARCH NFL LEGENDS
FOLLOW ATNFLLEGENDS
NFLPlayerEngagement.com/LEGENDS CALL: 1-855-4PE-2472
or visit: www.nflengagementzone.com/RequestanInvite.aspx
Medical Assistance
Total Wellness Career Development
Transition Assistance
Partner Discounts
Player Assistance Services
The NFL has a large number of meaningful resources that are available to retired players in their post NFL years. These resources include benefits you may be entitled to:
nflplayerengagement.com/LEGENDS
H E L P G R O W O U R L E G E N D S C O M M U N I T YUPDATE YOUR INFORMATION HERE!
TONY [email protected] YORK JETS (2008- 2010) NFL LEGENDS NORTHEAST COORDINATOR
The league office is providing free assistance to those who need to buy 2016 health insurance for their family. During the past two years, these benefits office has helped more than 2,000 of retired players who wanted to purchase such health coverage. If you fall into that group this year, we encourage you to call 1-800-NFL-GOAL (800-635-4625) for free confidential assistance. AONHewitt Customer Service Advocates are available exclusively for you and other retired NFL players Monday-Friday from 9AM-6PM (ET).
HEALTHCARE INFORMATION
visit: www.NFLhealthcareinformation.com
Take advantage of the new Legends Community Resource Guide which lists all the programs that the NFL Player Engagement Department, Player Care Foundation, Legends Community, etc. are offering. You may be pleased to see all that is available to assist you and your family.
RESOURCE GUIDE
view: NFL RESOURCE GUIDE
Stay connected through these private groups which are exclusive to Legends Community members and include updates and photos of recent activity. They are also a great way for you to stay connected with other Legends and learn about various events within your local area.
ASHLEY [email protected] INTERN, EVENTS & GAMEDAY OPERATIONS
Chris Hayes played with intensity and seriousness and a sense of purpose as a Jets safety and special-teamer. And he's displayed the same traits as he's built his family and his career post-football in Calabasas, northwest of Los Angeles.
"My wife Aran and I are celebrating 20 years of marriage this month," he said. "And we're blessed to have four beautiful children. My oldest son is Chris Jr., my second-oldest is Isaiah, my youngest son is Jeremiah, and my baby girl is Asia."
As for work, he's immersed himself in the battle against diabetes for Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical company.
"My father was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and my aunt passed from diabetes," he said. "It's some-thing I wanted to be informed about to help my father but also help people in general. And Eli Lilly is a great company that reminds me of playing in the NFL. The way they're structured, their business model — it's all about team."
Hayes, 43, may have left the game, but the game clearly hasn't left him. For one, his sons are following in Dad's footsteps.
"All three of them play ball," Chris said. "Chris Jr. is a junior defensive back at Oregon State. He's 6'2" and 195 to 198 pounds. The kid is very smart, and his feet are better than mine were, for sure. Isaiah committed early to the University of Arizona. He's 6'0", 185 to 189. He's a safety/corner at Calabasas High School and he likes to hit, he's very aggressive at the point of attack.
"And Jeremiah is a linebacker/safety. He's 10 years old and he might be better than all of them. He has phenom-enal instincts, and he's the only one of my sons that plays multiple sports. "
For inspiration, they all can read some of the clips that Hayes has laminated from his playing days. He was the Jets' seventh-round pick out of Washington State in the 1996 draft, was cut and went to the Packers, then returned to the Jets in time for the Bill Parcells/Bill Belichick in 1997.
At first he was a key special teams contributor. Then in 2000 he became a safety starter for eight games because one assistant coach said he deserved the opportunity. That secondary coach was none other than Todd Bowles, now the Jets' head coach.
"TB was just so real. There wasn't any sugar-coating with it. And Todd was a coach who kept his composure no matter what the situation was," Hayes recalled. "He basically forced the decision for me to go out there. He was like, 'We're going to put Chris in the game. That's what we're going to roll with.' "
Hayes cherishes those memories, of playing for some of "the greatest motivators of all time," his relationships with Bowles, Al Groh and special teams coach Mike Sweatman. And of wearing the green and white for five seasons.
"My experience in New York has made me a diehard. I'm here in Cali repping the New York Jets till the wheels fall of. My family bleeds green," Chris said. "And I'm happy Todd Bowles is at the reins, happy he's doing good."
Hayes had one other thought, for Jets players and fans and everyone else.
"Mention for me how important it is for people to get checked for Type 2 diabetes," he said. "A lot of athletes fall victim to diabetic complications. Take your health serious and get checked when you get to the age of 40 to 45. I'd be very excited if you can throw a plug in there."
Consider it done, Chris.