FOOD, FASHION & FOOTBALL

Monday, Nov. 4, 2013, marked the tenth annual Jet Taste of the NFL event. This was no divided Miami Dolphin locker room as the players willingly sacrificed free time during their bye week to gather at 82Mercer, in SOHO.  Nick Bellore, Willie Colon, Jeff Cumberland, Demario Davis, Leger Douzable, Nick Folk, Stephen Hill, Austin Howard, Matt Simms, Jeremy Kerley, Calvin Pace, Bilal Powell, Geno Smith and Kyle Wilson were among the NY Jet players who voluntarily traded their helmets, pads and uniforms for custom made suits from Saks Fifth Avenue in order to fight hunger.
Jet defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson and center Nick Mangold were co-hosts. Of being named the event’s host for the fifth year, Mangold commented, “This is a great opportunity to spend time with the fans and it all goes to a good cause. It’s a neat event. I’m a big supporter and I will be in the future.”
For the first time, the Taste of the NFL event featured a runway fashion show with many of the Jet players modeling fashion from Saks Fifth Avenue’s private menswear collection.
Food was the focus as twenty restaurants from the tri-state area served their signature dishes to guests. Jet players, although tempted by the cuisine, maintained their in-season diets, watching their playing weight.  The players were more concerned with fighting hunger in the community.
Jets President Neil Glat stated, “The Jets Taste of the NFL event is a fantastic opportunity for fans to interact with our players and sample some great food. That is all supports the fight to end hunger makes it a can’t-miss night.”   By Jeannine Rippa