Some players are disliked and others are simply hated. Then, there is the level of disgust that Jets fans felt about Jason Taylor prior to him joining the team at the end of April.
There are many times that fans hate a player, but secretly wish he was on their team. That never seemed to be the case with Taylor though. Simply put, he was a villain to the members of Gang Green Nation.
Now, almost two months later, Taylor is not only donning the jersey that he was previously so reluctant to wear, but he is trying to win over the fans that he once said took the "'CL' out of class."
Even more surprising is that many of the fans appear willing to accept their former nemesis.
According to ESPN.com, Taylor signed far more autographs than any other player at the Jets’ public practice in the New Meadowlands Stadium on Wednesday.
Nose tackle Kris Jenkins even asked the crowd to serenade the former defensive player of the year as a welcoming gesture.
As for Taylor’s unpleasant history with Jets fans, it goes back a few years.
Taylor has ripped the infamous "J-E-T-S" chant in the past, insisting that it is the only word that the fans know how to spell. He has also referred to Giants Stadium as a "hellhole" and to Jets fans as "ignorant." Taylor even said that it would be "very, very, very difficult" for him to consider playing for the Jets versus retirement.
Now, Taylor and fans alike are, for the most part, singing a different tune.
"You’ve got to campaign a little bit for votes and cheers," Taylor told ESPN.com. "This is my new fan base. I can appreciate it. I can appreciate the boos, and I really can appreciate the cheers."
Jets fans will undoubtedly learn to appreciate Taylor if he can regain his Pro Bowl form.
The 35-year-old has been to the Pro Bowl six times in his career and is the NFL’s active career sacks leader with 127 1/2.
Though the 12,000 fans in attendance at Wednesday’s practice were not 100 percent behind Taylor — with some boos still heard — time, production and a Super Bowl ring will heal any remaining wounds from what had been an ongoing war.
