The New York Jets and the New York Mets today announced that the Jets will return to Shea Stadium on Jets Night at Shea on Monday, April 28, when the Mets host the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Former Jets Pro Bowlers Joe Klecko, Wesley Walker, linebacker legend Greg Buttle, and Super Bowl III champions Randy Beverly and John Schmitt will return to Shea one day after the conclusion of the NFL Draft to commemorate the Green & White's 20 seasons in Queens.
The Mets will salute their former Shea housemates — both teams won world championships in 1969 — during an on-field pregame ceremony that will include the first pitch and the Shea Countdown of games to be played at Shea in its final season. There will also be in-game video programming and the opportunity for fans to have their photos taken with both teams' 1969 championship trophies.
The New York Jets Flight Crew will be on hand at Generation Jets Fest, the team's traveling, interactive theme park, adjacent to Shea, and they will join Mr. Met and the Pepsi Party Patrol for promotions and giveaways throughout the game. Tickets start at $5 and are on sale now at Mets.com and LosMets.com.
In addition, Jets season ticket holders will have the opportunity to mingle with former Jets players at a special pregame meet-and-greet in Shea's picnic area. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of $20 tickets to the pregame event will be distributed to area charities through the Jets Foundation and the Mets Foundation.
Today's announcement follows Tuesday's 45th anniversary of the renaming of New York's American Football League franchise from the Titans to the Jets.
The Jets last played at Shea in 1983 before moving to the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, N.J. Both teams are constructing new facilities: Citi Field, the Mets' new home, will open in 2009 and the Jets' new home at the New Meadowlands Stadium is scheduled to open in 2010.
