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New York Jets: Austin Seferian-Jenkins showed discipline after bad call

By Michael Pallas

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 15: Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins #88 of the New York Jets is seen after what was originally called a touchdown against strong safety Duron Harmon #30 and cornerback Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter of their game at MetLife Stadium on October 15, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was reversed and called a fumble. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 15: Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins #88 of the New York Jets is seen after what was originally called a touchdown against strong safety Duron Harmon #30 and cornerback Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter of their game at MetLife Stadium on October 15, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was reversed and called a fumble. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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Despite a bad call that went against them, the veterans of the New York Jets showed the young players how to deal with that type of adversity with the media.

New York Jets tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins would have been justified to go off on he officials after the game vs. the Patriots on Sunday after poor officiating may have cost them the game. However, Seferian-Jenkins and head coach Todd Bowles took the high road.

In case you missed it, the tight end made a catch late in the fourth quarter and headed towards the pylon. He laid out to try and get what would’ve been the game-tying touchdown and appeared to have gotten it. However, the officials ruled that he lost control of the football and then hit the pylon, meaning it was a touchback and New England’s ball.

In taking the high road, ASJ and Bowles showed the young Jets players how to deal with controversy. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Seferian-Jenkins said this:

"“I don’t think it does any good to blast the officials or blast the rule … The rule is the rule. It is what it is. I have to do a better job of ball security. … I feel like I let my team down.”"

Bowles had this to say, also per Cimini:

"“They said he didn’t have control of the ball going out of bounds. If it hits the pylon going out of bounds, it’s a touchback going the other way.”"

Bowles and Seferian-Jenkins both would’ve been justified if they went the other way, even though they would’ve gotten fined for questioning officials publicly. With that said, it’s the perfect example on how to deal with this type of adversity with the media after the game.

They didn’t have a, “PLAYOFFS”, Jim Mora-like rant, nor did they make any excuses. They both took the high road, and it was good to see and hear. No matter what you say about Bowles, he has been a good influence on the young players in this locker room, and this is just another shining example.

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What you say behind closed doors can stay with the team, but how you deal with the media is for public consumption. Regardless of what you think they should say, they handled it with class, and couldn’t have done it better. Good job!

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