Forest Hills Catches Jets Fever

It was standing-room-only at last Sunday, Jan. 15, as a loyal, passionate and ecstatic crowd watched their beloved New York Jets upset the dreaded New England Patriots and advance to the qualifying game for the Super Bowl.

Chants of "J! E! T! S! Jets! Jets! Jets!" echoed across the Forest Hills sports bar the entire afternoon, and women whimsically jumped up and danced on their chairs every time Gang Green scored.

That was nothing, really. Wait until this Sunday at 6:30 p.m., when the Jets take on the Pittsburgh Steelers, their last obstacle before their first potential trip to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1969.

"Fans come all season. It's like a Jets family," explained Jessica Radziulis, who has tended bar at the Austin Street establishment for about two-and-a-half years. "It's so much fun. The atmosphere is awesome."

On Wednesday night, Radziulis had two predictions for this Sunday: turbo-charged energy at the bar; and the patrons will walk home on Cloud Nine. "They're going to make it to the Super Bowl," she said. "I have a feeling."

John Mahoney, a retired auditor, noted that Gang Green already beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh during the regular season. He felt that both teams are remarkably similar and the difference could come down to "smash-mouth football."

"If you play in cold weather, defense is key," he explained.

Mahoney frequents the Tap House happy hour during the week, but he's on the fence about showing up this weekend. "It gets awfully crowded," he said.

Joe Mapa praised head coach Rex Ryan and running back LaDainian Tomlinson. He didn't argue that Pittsburgh has a great team and home field advantage, but he's confident.

"It'll be a close game, but the Jets will pull it out by a field goal," he predicted, noting that he loves the Tap Room, but he'll watch the game on Long Island with his father, who he said is "the world's biggest Jets fan."

Raul Cabral was enjoying a drink with girlfriend Becky Michael. "Our offense is clicking," he said. "This season is special."

Cabral was positive the Jets would emerge victorious, but he was undecided about whether he would return to the Tap House to enjoy the fun atmosphere on Sunday. "I like to watch the game at home and focus," he said.

Michael said that she has enjoyed this football season more than others, but watching sports isn't really her thing. She likes to support Cabral in his interests. "I'm just a good girlfriend," she said.

Outside the bar, Angelo Marano recalled watching the Jets beat the Oakland Raiders live at Shea Stadium in December 1968, sending the team to its only Super Bowl, an upset victory over the Baltimore Colts the following month.

Since then, he's suffered through all the late-season folds, the last-minute chokes, the missed field goals and the untimely interceptions and fumbles. But he still has faith in what he called: "The new old Jets."

"They have a pretty well-balanced team. Not a powerhouse on offense, but they have weapons," he said. "The key is if they can run on Pittsburgh."

Of course, he measured his words.

"They break my heart every year," he said.