Frank Ramos Among 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Awards of Excellence Honorees

Posted on March 27, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Frank Ramos has entered a special recognition…

The 85-year-old Latino former public relations director for the New York Jets has been named among the 15 recipients of the Pro Football Hall of Fame‘s third annual Awards of Excellence.

The Hall of Fame’s awards are presented in five categories to those significant contributors who’ve helped drive the accomplishments of their profession, individual NFL clubs and pro football.

Ramos, a New Yorker and transplanted Floridian, is the longest-serving PR representative for a single New York pro sports team.

He spent his entire 39-year public relations career with the Green & White, from their first season known as the Jets in 1963 through 2002. He never missed a game — working 681 in all — with the highlight coming on January 12, 1969, at Miami’s Orange Bowl when the Jets stunned the favored Baltimore Colts 16-7 in Super Bowl III.

Ramos was selected as a member of the Super Bowl PR group each year of his career and was often a key voice in helping shape the league’s public relations positions.

“I’m excited to be going into the Hall with dear friend Bill Hampton and with my fellow PR directors, Harvey Greene of the [Miami] Dolphins and Dan Edwards of the [Jacksonville] Jaguars,” Ramos said Wednesday night. “I was very fortunate to have such a long career with the Jets and to have worked with outstanding owners Sonny Werblin, Leon Hess and Woody Johnson. But I wouldn’t be going to Canton without the help of so many former outstanding assistants, associates and interns. I still bleed Jets Green. Go J-E-T-S.”

The five groups presenting the Awards of Excellence — assistant coaches, athletic trainers, equipment managers, public relations personnel and film/video directors — created their own selection committees and set their own criteria for choosing their class members.

Ramos and the other 2024 honorees will be recognized in Canton, OH, with an evening reception on June 26 and a luncheon emceed by Hall of Famer Dan Fouts on June 27.

Alijah Vera-Tucker Selected by New York Jets in First Round of 2021 NFL Draft

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Alijah Vera-Tucker is officially headed to the National Football League…

The 21-year-old part-Latino offensive lineman is the No. 14 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Vera-Tucker was selected by the New York Jets in the First Round, the first Latino football player picked this year.

Vera-Tucker played tackle and guard at the University of Southern California (USC) for two seasons and was one of the best offensive linemen in the country.

He won the Morris Trophy in 2020 for being the nation’s best offensive lineman. Tucker was also a First-Team All-Pac 12 selection in 2020 and Second-Team All-Pac 12 in 2019.

Tucker secures the left side of the Jets’ offensive line, with Mekhi Becton anchoring down the left tackle position. This pick gives Zach Wilson, the Jets’ top pick, some much-needed protection.

Jennifer Lopez & Shakira Ready to Rock Their Super Bowl Halftime Show while Representing Latinos Everywhere

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

The countdown is on for Jennifer Lopez & Shakira’s highly anticipated Super Bowl performance…

For the first time ever, two Latinas will be taking over the halftime show performance that promises to be powerful, electric, and most of all meaningful for the Latinx community.

“I think it’s very important for us to convey a message unity,” Shakira said during the Super Bowl Halftime Show press conference in Miami on Thursday, January 30, sponspred by the NFL and Pepsi. “To show what a relevant force the Latin community is in this country, how much we have to offer, our idiosyncrasies, our culture that is so unique and so diverse.”

Lopez and Shakira are stoked about their performances but admit they’re feeling the pressure of this big moment in their careers.

“I never imagined singing at the Super Bowl one day,” says Jennifer Lopez, whose family has always been a fan of the New York Jets. But for Shakira, the story is different. Since she grew in Colombia, American football wasn’t really part of her life.

This year’s Super Bowl halftime show promises to have more songs, dancers and time than ever, according to the duo.

So, what will the halftime show offer? A lot of energy and incredible moments.

“When I saw her show, I was like, ‘Wow,’ and she felt the same way,” adds Lopez, who didn’t confirm if her children will be involved in the show, but did say the duo plans to pay homage to the late Kobe Bryantand his family.

“It’s nerve-racking. This moment is an example of how anything is possible no matter the size of your dreams,” Shakira said. “The Latin culture is unique and diverse and we are truly honored. “

For both women, it’s important they highlight their cultures on stage come Sunday evening to inspire the upcoming generation.

“Shakira being from Baranquilla, me being from the Bronx, the two of us could have never imagined we’d be playing the Super Bowl one day,” JLo said during the conference. “And I think it’s such a wonderful opportunity to pay homage to that and also to remind us all of what an important force we are,” Shakira added. “I wasn’t born or raised in the U.S. , but here I am—a Latina participating in this very, very American event, but also a global event. One hundred million people will be watching. I feel truly honored to be representing so many people out there.”

You can catch their Super Bowl halftime performance on Sunday, February 2.

Sanchez to Play for the Dallas Cowboys This NFL Season

Posted on September 4, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Mark Sanchez has found a new home, home on the range…

The Dallas Cowboys have made it official, signing the 29-year-old Mexican American veteran NFL quarterback two days after he was released by the Denver Broncos.

To make room for Sanchez, Dallas released Jameill Showers, who was the team’s No. 3 quarterback during the preseason. Showers started the preseason finale for the Cowboys, completing 10 of 25 attempts for 91 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Sanchez, who didn’t play in the Broncos’ final two preseason games, completed 20 of 30 attempts for one touchdown and one interception in the first two exhibition games with Denver.

He previously spent several seasons with the New York Jets, as well as one season with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Cowboys were in need of a veteran presence after Tony Romo suffered a broken bone in his back, forcing him to miss as many as 10 weeks.

Dallas named rookie Dak Prescott as its starting QB.

Cruz Makes Catch in First NFL Game Appearance in Nearly Two Years

Posted on August 28, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Victor Cruz is back in the game…

The 29-year-old half-Puerto Rican New York Giants wide receiver returned to game action on Saturday night after 685 days away due to injuries.

Cruz had one catch in 30 snaps in the team’s 21-20 win against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.

Cruz had missed most of the past two seasons with knee and calf injuries. He was also sidelined for two weeks this summer with a groin problem.

“It felt great, man, just to be with my teammates and put this 80 jersey back on and to get the love of the crowd and the people again and go out there and be in position to make a few plays as well,” he said.

Despite being on the field for all of the Giants’ first-team snaps Saturday night, Cruz was targeted twice by quarterback Eli Manning. He caught his only pass on the first play of the second half — a quick 4-yard out — against the Jets’ backups.

Cruz said he escaped the contest “unscathed.” He accomplished his two goals: getting on the field with his teammates and making an impact.

“It did, it felt like old times,” Cruz said. “I caught the ball in the flat and tried to make something happen, but I got to feel a little bit of contact, which was a great feeling.”

Cruz’s only other target came on third down early in the second quarter when he got a step on cornerback Buster Skrine deep downfield. But Manning’s pass was underthrown and too far inside, and it was almost intercepted by safety Marcus Gilchrist.

On a night when the first-team offense managed three first downs and 56 total yards in two-plus quarters, the Giants can at least take solace that Cruz held up physically in his first game since tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee on October 12, 2014.

“A big step,” coach Ben McAdoo said. “[He] got back on the field, had a chance to win on a double move. We couldn’t get the ball off cleanly and [he] caught another ball and looked comfortable and confident.”

Cruz admitted earlier in the week that this wasn’t just a normal preseason game; given his journey and struggles, it meant much more. After exiting the tunnel before the game, Cruz went to the far end zone and took a knee. After several seconds to himself, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. came over and had some words for the well-respected veteran.

Cruz then trotted to the sideline and patted his chest as the fans in the end zone cheered and chanted his name. The trademark “Cruuuuz” was back at MetLife Stadium.

“It was unreal. It kind of gave me goose bumps, especially that first walk out on the field,” Cruz said. “To have the fans do that, it was just humbling, and it really showed how much I mean to the fan base here in this tri-state area and to all Giants fans across the world how much they have anticipated this moment and how much I anticipated this moment to be back in front of them.

“And it was a pretty surreal moment for me, to say the least.”

Sanchez Agrees to a One-Year-Deal with the Philadelphia Eagles

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Mark Sanchez is flying high after landing a new NFL gig…

The 27-year-old Mexican American pro football star, a former quarterback for the New York Jets, has signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The deal comes a week after the Eagles lost quarterback Michael Vick to the Jets.

Sanchez’s deal is for $2.25 million and includes a $750,000 signing bonus, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The contract also includes up to an additional $1.75 million in bonuses, bringing the maximum value of the deal to $4 million. Sanchez can achieve his bonuses by playing up to 90 percent of the Eagles’ offensive plays.

The Eagles have called a news conference for 10:30 a.m. ET on Friday to introduce Sanchez.

Sanchez, released last Friday as soon as Vick’s deal with the Jets was complete, arrived in Philadelphia on Wednesday night and underwent a medical exam Thursday morning.

The parameters of the contract were set Monday, but the medical check was key because Sanchez is recovering from surgery on his throwing shoulder — a torn labrum that caused him to miss the entire 2013 season.

Sanchez, who resumed throwing recently, is said to be about 80 percent healthy. His hope is to be ready for OTA practices later in the spring. He also had arthroscopic knee surgery last season.

Nick Foles is the Eagles’ starter, but Sanchez’s presence should add some intrigue. Sanchez is 33-29 as a starter, and he has four playoff victories. He was the presumed opening day starter last season after outplaying rookie Geno Smith in the preseason, but he injured his shoulder in the fourth quarter of the Jets’ third preseason game.

Sanchez joins another former USC quarterback, Matt Barkley, on the Eagles’ depth chart. Presumably, Sanchez will be the No. 2.

Sanchez, the fifth overall pick in the 2009 draft, reached the AFC Championship Game in his first two seasons. The Jets regressed after that, going 14-18 over the next two seasons and missing the playoffs each time.

Sigler Engaged to Baseball Pro Cutter Dykstra

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Jamie-Lynn Sigler is about to become a baseball wife…

The 31-year-old half-Cuban American actress is engaged to pro-baseball beau Cutter Dykstra, she announced Monday on her Instagram account.

“So this just happened….,” wrote the former Entourage actress, followed by two hearts and a photo with a shocked looked on her face, showing off her sparkly engagement ring while seated next to her fiancé.

“She said yes!!!” tweeted Dykstra, who currently plays for the Washington Nationals organization.

Sigler, who previously dated New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and her former Entourage costar Jerry Ferrara, was previously married to A.J. DiScala.

Sigler and Dykstra, the son of former New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies star Lenny Dykstra, have been together for about a year.

Sigler currently stars on NBC‘s Guys with Kids.

Sanchez’s Strong Performance Leads the New York Jets to Victory

Posted on November 18, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a return to form for Mark Sanchez…

The 26-year-old New York Jets quarterback emerged from his recent two-game slump and led his team to a decisive 27-13 win over the St. Louis Rams in NFL action over the weekend.

Sanchez, the former University of Southern California star, completed 15 of 20 passes for 178 yards and one touchdown in leading the Jets to improve their record to 4-6.

In completing 75-percent of his passes, this marked Sanchez’s best percentage in nearly three years.

“It was a great performance by him,” said Sanchez’s teammate Rex Ryan. “It’s what we needed.”

Before Sunday, the Jets had been outscored 58-16 in their two previous games. But the team managed to put some points on the board against the Rams, in their first season under head coach Jeff Fisher.

Running back Bilal Powell scored the first two touchdowns of his career and kicker Nick Folk hit two 51-yard field goals for the Jets.

The Rams (3-6) were led by quarterback Sam Bradford, who completed 23 of 44 passes for 170 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception.

The Jets next face the New England Patriots, currently in first place in the AFC East division, on Thanksgiving Day.

Garcia to Perform at Jets vs. 49ers Game for Hispanic Heritage Month

Posted on September 29, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Lilian Garcia will be on the grid(iron) this weekend to help commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month in the New York metropolitan area…

The 46-year-old Spanish-American singer and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) announcer has been chosen to be the halftime performer when the New York Jets host the San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium this Sunday, September 30th.

“This is a wonderful honor,” said Garcia in a statement. “I love the NFL and I’m ready to give the crowd a great, high energy show at halftime as I perform songs from my new EP, My Time. This will be the eighth time I’ve sung the national anthem at a Jets Game and I love it. I am particularly honored that I’ve been asked to perform as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. It will be privilege to represent the millions of Hispanics who are proud to call America their home.”

While the first WWE Diva is currently serving as the ring announcer for the WWE’s Smackdown, Garcia has kept busy as a musical artist.

In 2007, she released her debut album, Quiero Vivir and recorded a duet in both English and Spanish with Grammy-winning singer Jon Secada. She’s since performed at various sporting events.

On “Hispanic Heritage Day,” the Jets will celebrate with a variety of culture activities for New York’s Latino population, which, according to their official site, is “the second-largest in the country.”

Meanwhile, Shirley Rodriguez Remeneski, president of 100 Hispanic Women, an organization that provides educational opportunities for Latinas, was selected as the recipient of this year’s NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award.

Garcia will return to MetLife Stadium in April 2013 as part of Wrestlemania. Her new EP is currently available on iTunes.

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Celebrating the Latino Influence

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