Vinny Testaverde to serve as NY Jets honorary Week 1 captain

Vinny Testaverde accepts honorary captain role on Sept. 11

For the New York Jets‘ Monday night home opener against the Buffalo Bills, the team will have a special honorary captain.

Vinny Testaverde, the former Jets quarterback who played with the team from 1998-2003 and in 2005, will be alongside other Jets players at midfield on Monday night.

Former QB Vinny Testaverde will serve as the #Jets’ honorary captain.

He was a leader on that 2001 squad and played a key role in the Jets deciding to not play that weekend. The NFL later postponed all the games scheduled for Week 2 that season. https://t.co/t5SZpdcpgE

— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) September 9, 2023

Testaverde threw for 12,497 yards and 77 touchdowns over his seven seasons as a Jet, helping the team reach the playoffs in 1998 and 2001. He helped give the Jets a run of success before handing the offense over to Chad Pennington.

Along with his on-field contributions, Testaverde played a vital role in the NFL’s decision not to play in the aftermath of the tragedy that was Sept. 11, 2001.

Testaverde spoke about his thought process in an NFL.com article published in 2021. 

“This wasn’t the time to play football. I told them I’m making the decision not to go play the Raiders,” said Testaverde.

“If you need to bench me, fine me, cut me, I’m willing to take that. I know this is more important than football right now. We know families that have lost loved ones. We want to be with them and grieve with them.”

Testaverde will be back in the Jets’ stadium 22 years later to remember those lost in those horrible attacks. He was a key contributor for the Jets, both on and off the field, and was one of the better Jets quarterbacks in recent memory.

The former Jets’ quarterback will now be in attendance to ring in the start of the Aaron Rodgers era for the Jets. And on a day to remember the tragic events will never be forgotten, there is no one better to serve as captain than the leader who made sure the NFL treated the day with the proper respect.

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