The New York Jets have reconsidered their resolution to disqualify a fan from a $100,000 kicking competitors after a substantial backlash on social media.
The staff to have canceled season ticket-holder Ashley Castanio-Gervasi’s spot within the finals of its “Kick for Money” competitors this weekend attributable to her work as a highschool soccer coach.
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Castanio-Gervasi informed the Publish the staff reached out to her after seeing her kick at a tailgate in September and requested her to affix the competitors, with out asking if she was a coach mentioning any guidelines banning coaches. Castanio-Gervasi additionally reportedly informed the staff she was a Division I soccer participant in school, taking part in goalkeeper for Stony Brook College from 2010 to 2014.
Her recollection, from the Publish:
“These two employees for the New York Jets form of chased me down and invited me again to get into this competitors,” she recalled. “The one query I used to be requested was if I performed school soccer, and the way way back.”
Castanio-Gervasi went on to qualify for the ultimate — the lone girl to take action — by making a 20-yard discipline objective in October, with the staff even selling her look with native media. . It wasn’t till final week, nonetheless, that Castanio-Gervasi was knowledgeable a few rule prohibiting current gamers and coaches from Olympic, school, and highschool soccer, rugby, and soccer groups.
The Jets initially stood by the coverage when reached by the Publish:
“In accordance with competitors guidelines and laws, one particular person who efficiently made the qualifying kick won’t be able to advance to the ultimate stage of the problem,” the staff mentioned in an announcement to The Publish.
“We perceive the frustration related to this and have made an effort to offer another profit to point out our appreciation,” the Jets assertion added.
The staff reportedly tried to mitigate the scenario by providing Castanio-Gervasi a comfort customized jersey, a $100 Visa reward card and a donation to Esophageal Most cancers Schooling Basis. The latter was vital as Castanio-Gervasi hoped to donate a part of the winnings to the inspiration in honor of her father Frank, who died of esophageal most cancers in 2011.
The Jets have someway turned a discipline objective into an personal objective. (Picture by Justin Casterline/Getty Pictures)
(Justin Casterline through Getty Pictures)
The staff additionally reportedly supplied to cowl the price of the tickets bought by at the very least 15 family and friends members who have been going to see Castanio-Gervasi kick.
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The backlash was intense as soon as the season got here to mild, . A day later, the staff was utilizing a unique tone, :
“We realized there was an unlucky misunderstanding concerning Ashley’s eligibility for the competition. In an effort to treatment the scenario, we’re permitting her to kick this Sunday for a possibility to win the prize. We worth the eagerness and loyalty of our followers and are dedicated to creating memorable experiences.”
It’s unclear what the staff means by “misunderstanding,” however it might probably undoubtedly anticipate extra curiosity than typical for the “Kick for Money” contest this weekend. The Jets are scheduled to play the Patriots on Sunday at 1 p.m.