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INSIDE GANG GREEN

New York Jets’ star linebacker Jonathan Vilma reveals the secret to the team’s recent success on the playing field.

By David Hollander

Who said the New York Jets wouldn’t amount to anything this year? Defying NFL prognosticators and local naysayers, the perennially displaced Giants Stadium tenants are in the playoff hunt. As the second half of the season takes shape, the Jets’ All-Pro linebacker and team captain tells New York Press he’s happy being nicknamed after Wilma Flintstone, pretty sure that football can be a way out of juvey and certain that Donna Shalala is down with “Da U.”

NY Press: The movie Gridiron Gang, starring the Rock, is about teenagers in a detention center gaining self-esteem through football. How realistic is that scenario?

Jonathan Vilma: Although I haven’t been in that situation before, I think it’s realistic in the same way many other programs help kids that are straying or haven’t had the proper guidance. You can help them through football like any other program.

ESPN sportscaster Chris Berman is known for creating nicknames by playing on words. With you it’s Jonathan “Vi-i-i-i-ilma,” as if Fred Flintstone were calling his wife. How do you like that one?  

(laughs) I like it. It’s catchy. I remember the first time I heard it my rookie year. It caught on. Everyone started imitating Chris Berman when they heard him say it.

How many women named Wilma have you ever met?

I’ve known one—no make that two – two people named Wilma.

“Flintstones” creators Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera could never publicly agree on whether the “Flintstones” was inspired by “The Honeymooners.” Why can’t some people give credit where credit is due?

It might be a jealously thing. You’re always going to have that wherever you go.  Whenever you have success, you’re going to have people who are jealous and envious.

I can totally relate. You know, I’m the only columnist on record—right here in the pages of  NY Press—to pick the Jets to go to the playoffs. What do our readers need to understand about the concept of “any given Sunday”?

Readers have to understand that the talent in the NFL is spread so evenly that is doesn’t matter what your record is, what the score is or what you did the week before. If you’re on the field, you have a chance to win on any given Sunday.

The Jets have played better than most expected this year. But are you playing up to your own standards?

Right now we’re working toward it. Obviously we’re not there yet. If we were there, we’d be undefeated on our way to a perfect season. We’re getting there. I always say it’s a work in progress, and as long as we’re getting better each week, we’re happy.

Eric Mangini held a team screening of the Hagler-Hearns fight before your win over Miami. What did you take from that fight into that game?

That it’s never over. You have to keep fighting through the ups and downs. There’ll be some good moments and some not so good moments. You got to keep going, keep playing and keep fighting. At the end, if you did what you were supposed to do and stayed the course, you can win.

Your alma mater, the Miami Hurricanes, are having a rough season, but nothing was rougher than their brawl with FIU, resulting in 33 suspensions. What concerned you most about that incident?

What concerned me most was some of the comments players made afterwards saying that they thought it was a point where the team came together—a significant point for the university and the team. And it really wasn’t a significant point. It was very ugly, and the situation was uncalled for. I couldn’t see anything positive that came out of that fight.

Former Hurricanes receiver-turned-broadcaster, Lamar Jones, offered this commentary on the melee from the booth: “Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about. You come into our house, you should get your behind kicked.” Jones added, “If this would have been back in the days [sic], we would have called these guys—‘Hey, meet us at Tamiami Park, and let’s get it on without pads.’” Is that a classic case of blurring the lines between fan and impartial journalist?

That’s a classic case. He faced the consequences for it. That was the perfect example of crossing the line right there.

Donna Shalala, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, serves as University of Miami’s president. How often does she refer to the institution as “Da U.”?

In my dealings with her I’ve heard her, say it about three times. She gets excited for the sport. She likes her sports and the athletic program. Maybe she’s never referred to it like that in public, but I’ve heard her say it a couple times.

Does she ever participate in the legendary off-season workouts?

Definitely not. I haven’t seen her there.

The Jets got their name from when they used to play at Shea Stadium near LaGuardia Airport. For years, they’ve played at Giants Stadium nowhere near any airplanes. Would a stadium in Newark re-establish the team’s name identity?

That’s a good question. I think it’s yet to be seen. I know that the fans are loyal fans, and they’ll travel to wherever we play as long as we’re winning. And we’re loyal to them. If it creates a broader fan base, I say go for it.

In the ’70s they called the Dolphins’ defense “No-Name” and Pittsburgh’s “The Steel Curtain.” Later, the Jets’ defense was dubbed “Gang Green.” What would you nickname today’s Jets’ defense?

Man, I can’t really give us a nickname right now. First we have to earn the reputation of being something. Right now we don’t have that reputation. When we actually go out there and make a case for a nickname for ourselves, then I’ll get back to you. 
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