Dec 10 in Jet History: Last Game at Shea Stadium
Dec 10, 2015 6:40:52 GMT -5
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Post by Lithfan on Dec 10, 2015 6:40:52 GMT -5
December 10, 1983
32 years ago today, the Jets played their final home game at Shea Stadium. A 34-7 loss at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Jets came in having played themselves into the playoff conversation by winning three straight, although they were still longshots for a post-season berth at 7-7. The Steelers were heading in the other direction. They had lost 3 straight and were trying to get back on track after a 9-2 start.
The game was also historic in that it was Terry Bradshaw’s final NFL game. Bradshaw had not played in 11 months, following shoulder surgery at the end of the 1982 season. This game was his return to the field. It did not last long for the future hall of famer. He threw just 8 passes, completing 5 with 2 TDs before re-injuring his arm and being replaced by Cliff Stoudt. He left with a 14-0 2nd quarter lead.
His first TD pass was vintage Bradshaw. He was flushed out of the pocket and extended the play on 3rd and 10 from the Jets 17 before finding WR Gregg Garrity between defenders Ken Schroy and Jerry Holmes in the end zone. His 2nd TD would prove to be the last pass he would throw in the NFL, a 10-yarder to Calvin Sweeney. He re-injured his arm as he hit a Jet helmet on the follow through.
Richard Todd got the start for the Jets. Todd, in his last season as the Jets starter (he would be traded to New Orleans in the offseason), was booed unmercifully by the home crowd. He finished 11-20 for 114 yards and 2 interceptions before injuring his thigh and giving way to Pat Ryan, who was not much more effective. Ryan struggled through a 6 for 18 afternoon in relief of Todd. He did connect with Lam Jones for the Jets only score of the day. A 37 yard scoring strike late in the 3rd quarter that cut the Steelers lead to 27-7.
Jones had his best day as an NFL player, catching 7 passes for 146 yards and the TD. The 7 & 146 were both career highs for Jones, who may have been the only Jet who showed up to play that afternoon.
Another old pro and future HOFer nearing the end of his career had a big day for Pittsburgh. 33 year-old Franco Harris had the final 100 yard rushing day of his career as he gained 103 on 26 carries in the win.
After the game ended, it was the fans who took center stage. Storming the field, either looking to take home souvenirs from the Shea Stadium field or looking to voice their displeasure over the team’s performance after falling out of the playoff hunt with a 7-8 record.
Police and players were pelted with chunks of sod torn from the Shea Stadium field. One target of the fans appeared to be Todd, who was pelted with sod and beer and other items as he left the field that afternoon. About 20 fans were treated for injuries and another 15 were arrested in the post-game melee on the field. It was an ugly scene which followed an ugly game.
''I'm not taking anything away from Pittsburgh,'' said the safety Darrol Ray, ''but it was a matter of us not stopping them.''
''We didn't take the field and take control, and that's what beat us,'' said Mark Gastineau, the Jet defensive end.
Head coach Joe Walton was succinct in his comments, ''They beat us, and they beat us bad.''
Source: The New York Times
32 years ago today, the Jets played their final home game at Shea Stadium. A 34-7 loss at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Jets came in having played themselves into the playoff conversation by winning three straight, although they were still longshots for a post-season berth at 7-7. The Steelers were heading in the other direction. They had lost 3 straight and were trying to get back on track after a 9-2 start.
The game was also historic in that it was Terry Bradshaw’s final NFL game. Bradshaw had not played in 11 months, following shoulder surgery at the end of the 1982 season. This game was his return to the field. It did not last long for the future hall of famer. He threw just 8 passes, completing 5 with 2 TDs before re-injuring his arm and being replaced by Cliff Stoudt. He left with a 14-0 2nd quarter lead.
His first TD pass was vintage Bradshaw. He was flushed out of the pocket and extended the play on 3rd and 10 from the Jets 17 before finding WR Gregg Garrity between defenders Ken Schroy and Jerry Holmes in the end zone. His 2nd TD would prove to be the last pass he would throw in the NFL, a 10-yarder to Calvin Sweeney. He re-injured his arm as he hit a Jet helmet on the follow through.
Richard Todd got the start for the Jets. Todd, in his last season as the Jets starter (he would be traded to New Orleans in the offseason), was booed unmercifully by the home crowd. He finished 11-20 for 114 yards and 2 interceptions before injuring his thigh and giving way to Pat Ryan, who was not much more effective. Ryan struggled through a 6 for 18 afternoon in relief of Todd. He did connect with Lam Jones for the Jets only score of the day. A 37 yard scoring strike late in the 3rd quarter that cut the Steelers lead to 27-7.
Jones had his best day as an NFL player, catching 7 passes for 146 yards and the TD. The 7 & 146 were both career highs for Jones, who may have been the only Jet who showed up to play that afternoon.
Another old pro and future HOFer nearing the end of his career had a big day for Pittsburgh. 33 year-old Franco Harris had the final 100 yard rushing day of his career as he gained 103 on 26 carries in the win.
After the game ended, it was the fans who took center stage. Storming the field, either looking to take home souvenirs from the Shea Stadium field or looking to voice their displeasure over the team’s performance after falling out of the playoff hunt with a 7-8 record.
Police and players were pelted with chunks of sod torn from the Shea Stadium field. One target of the fans appeared to be Todd, who was pelted with sod and beer and other items as he left the field that afternoon. About 20 fans were treated for injuries and another 15 were arrested in the post-game melee on the field. It was an ugly scene which followed an ugly game.
''I'm not taking anything away from Pittsburgh,'' said the safety Darrol Ray, ''but it was a matter of us not stopping them.''
''We didn't take the field and take control, and that's what beat us,'' said Mark Gastineau, the Jet defensive end.
Head coach Joe Walton was succinct in his comments, ''They beat us, and they beat us bad.''
Source: The New York Times
