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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 035-10
January 21, 2010

MAYOR BLOOMBERG UNOFFICIALLY RENAMES MANHATTAN ISLAND "REVIS ISLAND" AT TIMES SQUARE RALLY FOR NEW YORK JETS

Encourages Fans from Across the Region to Visit the "Revis Island" Sign in Times Square, Take Pictures and Post them Online

Mayor Bloomberg and Indianapolis Mayor Ballard Make Friendly Wager on Sunday's Game

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today unofficially renamed Manhattan Island "Revis Island" at a rally for the New York Jets in preparation for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts. Earlier this season, Jets star cornerback Darrelle Revis nicknamed his man-to-man coverage of the opposing team's wide receiver - a hallmark of the Jets defense this season - "Revis Island." The Mayor unveiled a "Revis Island" sign to be posted at the Times Square Information Center on 7th Avenue between 46th and 47th Streets through the end of the Jets playoff run. Mayor Bloomberg encouraged Jets fans from across the region to visit the sign, take a picture and post them to a social networking site such as Flickr or Twitter using the tag #jetsgo. Select fan photos will appear in the coming days at nycgo.com/jetsgo. In 2008, before the Giants played in Super Bowl XLII, Mayor Bloomberg visited Brady's Bar on Second Avenue in Manhattan and renamed it "Manning's." Joining Mayor Bloomberg at the Times Square rally, which featured a performance by singer Jason Derulo, were Governor David A. Paterson, current Jet Leon Washington, former Jets Curtis Martin, Dave Hermann, Bobby Jackson, Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum, ESPN Radio's Michael Kay and retired FDNY firefighter Ed Anzalone ("Fireman Ed").

"Sunday's game in Indianapolis will be as tough as it gets, but anyone who has counted out these underdogs the last few weeks has regretted it," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Two years ago, we renamed Brady's Bar 'Manning's,' and this year we're thinking even bigger. Starting today through the end of the playoffs, Manhattan Island is hereby renamed 'Revis Island.' It's been more than 40 years since the Jets won the Super Bowl, but Revis and the Jets have New York City abuzz. Denino's on Staten Island serves up some of New York's best pizza, but I think Mayor Ballard will have to come east if he wants to taste it."

"As a lifelong Jets fan, I remember that fateful January day in 1969, when the Jets upset the Baltimore Colts in Superbowl III. Though the Colts have since moved to Indianapolis, our New York Jets will again show them how it's done," said Governor Paterson. "This season, we have watched the Jets defense keep points off the board and the offense make touchdown after touchdown. This team is not only competitive, it's high-powered and ready to win. J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets!"

"I am excited to be here today on behalf of the Jets organization," said Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum. "It's great to see all of the support we have from our fans, the City and entire region.  We are working hard and plan to make you all proud in Indianapolis on Sunday."

Mayor Bloomberg and Indianapolis Mayor Gregory A. Ballard also announced a friendly wager on Sunday's game. If the Jets win, Mayor Ballard will send shrimp cocktail from St. Elmo Steakhouse. If the Colts win, Mayor Bloomberg will send pizza from Denino's Pizza Place on Staten Island, owned by FDNY firefighter Michael Burke of Ladder 147 and his family.

"The Colts and Jets have an intense rivalry stretching back 40 years, and I am sure Sunday's game will be a tough one," said Mayor Ballard. "Mayor Bloomberg would love St. Elmo's shrimp cocktail, but it's a shame his J-E-T-S Jets are going L-O-S-E lose."







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser / Andrew Brent   (212) 788-2958

Jessica Ciccone (Jets)   (973) 549-4677

Robert Vane (Mayor Ballard)   (317) 327-3713




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