Modern sporting events are about much more than what happens on the field. At MetLife Stadium, the New York Jets have embraced social media by turning their massive scoreboard into an interactive experience, giving fans the chance to see their tweets, selfies, and Instagram posts displayed before tens of thousands of fellow supporters.
New York Jets Scoreboard at MetLife Stadium. Photo: Brian Kachejian © 2017
There is nothing like going to see a live major league sporting event. The excitement of the crowds, the smell of cooking sausage and burgers, and so much more make it a thrilling experience. The old song “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” really did get it right. However, we have come a long way since the days of peanuts and Cracker Jack. Even though those items are still found in many ballparks, we have all moved on to much finer delicacies like pulled pork sandwiches, fried calamari, Chinese dumplings, and an entire menu of exotic food items that usually come at very high prices.
Just like the old days, ballparks still put fans on the big screens between innings or quarters, during pitching changes, or throughout television timeouts. Fans have always loved seeing themselves on the giant video boards. All it takes is a section of fans to notice a camera operator pointing a camera toward the crowd, and the excitement immediately begins. Fans jump up and down, wave wildly, hug one another, and do almost anything they can in hopes of landing those two or three seconds of stadium fame. While it may only last a few moments, fans can boast for years about appearing on the giant screen at Yankee Stadium or MetLife Stadium.
From Lucky Fans to Social Media Stars
In the past, appearing on the big screen simply came down to luck. The majority of fans attending games never made it onto the scoreboard because there were simply too many people inside the stadium. There were, however, a few familiar faces who always seemed to receive camera time. These were often the fans wearing outrageous costumes or serving as unofficial team mascots. In the Meadowlands, retired firefighter Fireman Ed became a fixture on the giant screen while passionately leading New York Jets fans in the famous J-E-T-S chant. His popularity eventually led the Jets organization to feature him during games as part of the stadium experience. Unfortunately, that popularity also brought unwanted attention from opposing fans, eventually causing him to step away from the spotlight for a time.
How the Jets Changed the Game Day Experience
Just as stadium food has evolved over the years, so has the process of getting onto the giant scoreboard. The New York Jets began encouraging fans to use team hashtags on social media, turning the scoreboard into a powerful promotional tool. By inviting fans to share their experiences online, the organization effectively encouraged thousands of supporters to promote the team while rewarding selected posts with valuable screen time.
It’s a strategy that has worked remarkably well. In 2015, the Jets displayed fan photographs, names, and tweets across the entire scoreboard. One of my own tweets appeared during a game that season. As participation continued to grow, the organization adjusted the display to feature multiple tweets simultaneously, allowing even more fans to see themselves on the massive video board. By 2016 and 2017, the Jets expanded the concept even further by highlighting Instagram photos submitted with hashtags such as #JetsSelfie and #JetsSelfies.
New York Jets Scoreboard. Photo: Brian Kachejian © 2017
Making It Onto the Big Screen
Today, making it onto the giant scoreboard is no longer simply a matter of luck. Thanks to smartphones and social media, fans have a much better chance of appearing during a game. All it takes is posting a selfie with the proper hashtag while proudly wearing your New York Jets gear.
One word of advice, though: if you hope to see your picture displayed during a Jets game, make sure you’re wearing New York Jets apparel. The team isn’t interested in promoting visiting fans. After all, that’s the entire point of the campaign.
Related New York Sports Articles
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to read more ClassicNewYorkHistory.com features on the New York Jets, MetLife Stadium, New York Giants history, Shea Stadium, Citi Field, Yankee Stadium, and Madison Square Garden and other memorable New York sports experiences.
Article updated on June 26, 2026.
