Who is firefighter Ed? Everything you need to know about the New York Jets superfan

When it comes to the spelling of a certain four-letter word, Jets fans are second to none.

JETS. Jets. Jets. Jets.

As far as the chants go, it would be hard to get simpler than that. No one will soon confuse the Jets faithful with the complex European football chants often sung by fans, but the simple chant serves its purpose. In the shadow of the New York City skyline, the battle cry of Gang Green led by Ed Anzalone, better known as Fireman Ed, echoes through the Meadowlands.

Players change, coaches change, but the chant has remained the same for more than 50 years. Usually performed before kickoff, firefighter Ed is the conductor for the fans in attendance. While NFL fans are familiar with the character, there’s plenty to the story. Here’s everything you need to know about New York Jets superfan, Firefighter Ed.

Who is firefighter Ed?

Anzalone, 65, grew up in Queens, New York, the youngest of five siblings. He started going to Jets games in 1975 when his older brother, Frank, got season tickets. After he started wearing his fire helmet during games, ESPN’s Chris Berman coined the nickname “Fireman Ed” that has stuck ever since.

Anzalone is a fixture at MetLife Stadium for Jets home games, leading the chant as the team’s unofficial mascot.

Is Fireman Ed a real firefighter?

Firefighter Ed is a retired New York City firefighter who served in the Harlem neighborhood. He joined the fire department in September 1987 and left the job in September 2007 after doctors said he could no longer do the job. Anzalone suffered numerous injuries to his back, neck and knees during his firefighting days.

The youngest of five siblings, Firefighter Ed is the son of a baker but chose to follow the professional path paved by his uncles.

Fireman Ed beefs with Jets

Despite being one of the best-known Jets fans, Firefighter Ed’s relationship with the team hasn’t always been so glamorous. There have been some icy moments over the years, which resurfaced in 2024. Following a Monday Night Football loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 6, firefighter Ed took to Instagram to express his frustrations.

“I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but they’re phasing us out,” Anzalone said. “I’d like to know if anyone knows anything, please let me know because it’s clear it’s happening and it needs to stop because we need home advantage.”

Anzalone noted that he believes there is something going on with the production team, pointing out that his presence on the MetLife Stadium screens has diminished this season.

“Especially last night – although also during the Denver game – especially last night we scored a touchdown and normally traditionally we always get put on the screen,” Anzalone said while referring to the two other superfans. “(We) do the Jet chant to get the crowd going, which is an important part of JetLife Stadium.”

Why did firefighter Ed stop being a Jets fan?

This isn’t the first time Anzalone and the Jets have feuded. In 2012, after the famous “Butt Fumble” game on Thanksgiving, he gave up his role as firefighter Ed, stating that the meanness from fellow fans became too much. Anzalone famously ditched his signature No. 42 Bruce Harper jersey, opting instead to support then-quarterback Mark Sanchez.

Anzalone said at the time that he would still attend games as a fan, but not as Firefighter Ed. The Jets held a competition to find a new song leader and eventually settled on Rob Fulmer, also known as “Jetman”, who is still part of the gameday tradition.

Firefighter Ed returned to his post leading the Jets vocals at the start of the 2015 season.

Is Firefighter Ed getting paid by the Jets?

Most of the problems in 2012 stemmed from the belief that the Jets are paying firefighter Ed for his services. Anzalone has often denied this, including during a 2010 New York Times interview. “How can you take money to cheer?” he said. “You’d be an impostor.”

Anzalone has said that while the team doesn’t compensate him, he has been able to make some money doing commercials for companies like Budweiser and Pizza Hut.

Who started the Jets chant?

Despite being popular for the JETS chant, Anzalone wasn’t the one who started it. The chant was started by fans in the 1970s when the team played at Shea Stadium. With no official leader, Firefighter Ed seized the opportunity to step into that role in the mid-1980s and has largely retained it ever since.