Tuesday Morning Cheerleader: Kimberly of the Jets
By Steve Mazzucchi
Esquire
New York edged Minnesota in a Monday-night classic. Now a brash young rookie with a (soaked) sideline view tells Esquire.com why the Jets will make the Super Bowl — and why Brett Favre should stop texting and hang ’em up already.
For a match-up packed with drama — Randy Moss joining the Vikings, the Jets getting back three stars, Brett Favre catching heat for (alleged) dirty messages to Jets employees — this one sure started slowly. First there was the lightning delay, followed by a first-half puntathon. But in the last twenty minutes, Favre woke up, burned the Jets for three scores, and positioned Minnesota for an epic comeback. Then he threw a pick six to Dwight Lowery, the Jets went up 29-20, and that was all she texted… er, wrote.
Watching it unfold up close was rookie Flight Crew member Kimberly, who’s new to the Jets cheer squad but not to their history. A small-town Tennessee native who once cheered for the Titans, the most attractive New York off-season acquisition landed in town this past spring to break through in broadcast journalism. Now pointed toward a graduate degree and on-air work, Kimberly dreams of hosting Live with Regis and Kimberly. “He always has a co-host that’s funny, and I’m hilarious,” she explains. One thing that’s no laughing matter? The Jets hitting 4-1 and, dare she say it, aiming for the Super Bowl…
ESQUIRE: Lotta drama last night. Who were the biggest heroes for the Jets?
KIMBERLY: In the first half, it was a ground-and-pound game. The defense was stifling — they really didn’t give anything. Mark Sanchez and the offense put together a great drive toward the end, and that Shonn Greene TD was big. Nick Folk with five field goals in the rain was amazing. And Dwight Lowery’s interception and touchdown clearly made the game.
ESQ: Favre fumbled twice in the first half. Was the Jets pressure that great, or were his thumbs just sore from all the (alleged) sexting?
KIM: I’ve been saying that Favre should put away the phone and practice more, and I was right because he embarrassed himself. I’m sure all the things in the media affect how you perform, especially concerning the Jets, but they definitely pressured him. It wasn’t surprising in the second half when he remembered how to play QB, because he’s done it so many times before, but he should either get his head in the game or retire. He’s had his time. It’s time to let people in their twenties and thirties play.
ESQ: Favre topped 500 TDs and 70,000 yards passing, but he also set the fumbles record and increased his own interceptions mark. Do you guys miss him at all?
KIM: What was he last night, 14-for-34 passing? I think that just says enough. Do the Jets miss him? I think we’re doing pretty good this season. Those days have passed.
ESQ: Everyone thought LaDainian Tomlinson was washed-up, but he’s averaging 85 total yards a game at age 31. Surprised?
KIM: I’ve never been a Chargers fan, but I’ve always followed him, and I’m really excited. Last night, he did a great job again, but you have to credit our offensive line. They open up holes for him to run through. That’s critical.
ESQ: Is it just unfair that you guys had to face Randy Moss twice in less than a month?
KIM: Yes, but we’re always up for the challenge, and Antonio Cromartie was good.
ESQ: After Favre and Moss finally connected for a TD, Brad Smith immediately ripped off an 86-yard kick return. How big was that?
KIM: That created a huge swing of momentum. When Moss came out and got that TD, he made the crowd nervous. They paused for a second. But because Jets fans are the best in the NFL, they jumped right back into it with that return.
ESQ: How much fun is cheering when you’re soaking wet?
KIM: It’s amazing. The Jets fans are like no other fans. Every game, I see the same people and they wave and I feel like I know them. It’s overwhelming, in a good way. I get chills every time I walk around the field — especially when it’s pouring rain. Actually, I was having so much fun, I didn’t want to go in. I wanted to stay out there! It was like working out to hardcore music. It got the fans going more.
ESQ: And you had to be excited wearing those pink boots for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
KIM: The pink boots made my day. Breast cancer runs in my family, and as a woman, it’s really inspiring to see big football players dressed up in pink. I think it’s awesome that the NFL supports breast cancer awareness the way that they do. I was watching Rex Ryan and his pink sneakers. It’s really cool.
ESQ: For a bunch of Hard Knocks loudmouths, the Jets looked very disciplined. Is it too soon to say Rex Ryan is the best Jets coach since Weeb Ewbank?
KIM: The Jets really made no mistakes, which made it tough for the Vikings. Sanchez is young but growing with every game, and in these past few games, we’ve definitely seen a lot of changes with their mindset. Rex Ryan is an amazing coach. He keeps them grounded. A lot of people gave them a hard time for being on Hard Knocks, but Ryan could go down in history, because this year we’re going to the Super Bowl.
ESQ: You sound confident.
KIM: I’m a confident woman. Wasn’t it Joe Namath who guaranteed the Jets would win Super Bowl III? I could be the Joe Namath of cheerleaders! I actually started a game-day ritual that I’m trying not to break. The day we won our first game, I packed a peanut butter, jelly, and banana sandwich and, I’m not the best packer, one white sock and one black sock. I’ve been making that sandwich and wearing those socks every game.
ESQ: Yesterday, Esquire named former Friday Night Lights cheerleader Minka Kelly the Sexiest Woman Alive. Which FNL character wins your heart?
KIM: Definitely Tim Riggins. He’s the bad boy. Rough around the edges, good-looking, and has a good heart. That’s every girl’s dream. Girls like the bad boys, but Tim has a softer side… when he’s not drunk.
