Fireman Ed Announces Retirement

Fireman Ed is hanging up his helmet.

Jets fan Ed Anzalone writes in a guest column for Metro New York newspaper Sunday that he will no longer lead the "J-E-T-S!" chants at home games or wear his firefighter's hat because "confrontations" between him and other fans "have become more common."

He pointed out that fans often mistake him for being part of the Jets organization when in fact he is a season ticket holder “who has never received a dime from this team.”

“Listen, I went through the Rich Kotite era — we were 4-28 in that era. Any Jets fan knows this isn’t the worst of times; it isn’t close,” Anzalone told Metro. “It’s been about the nastiness. I just think society in general — you’re out in your car there’s no respect at all. I don’t want to put up with that from people taking it out on me anymore.”

The former New York City firefighter, who left the Jets' 49-19 loss to New England at halftime Thursday night, says that MetLife Stadium has become divided over support for quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow. Anzalone, who used to wear Bruce Harper's No. 42 jersey, has been wearing Sanchez's No. 6 this season.

Anzalone says his choice to support Sanchez has led to more frequent incidents, and doesn't want "to lose my temper and make a stupid mistake."

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)