“Nothing To Apologize For”: Being Called a ‘53 Year Old Cheerleader’ Rubs Rich Eisen the Wrong Way but Friends & Fans Have a Different Take

Besides being a consummate broadcaster with a deep knowledge of football, Rich Eisen is also a well-known Gang Green member. It wasn’t a surprise to see Eisen hoping for things to change when Aaron Rodgers arrived in the Metropolis this off-season. However, after a recent discussion about Rodgers’ ongoing injury troubles, Eisen became associated with a term he’s not particularly fond of. After downplaying Rodgers’ injury on his show, Eisen brought up the news piece headline that called him a Jets cheerleader.

And the 53-year-old host and analyst was not happy with the way he was portrayed. However, the fans in the comments section and Eisen’s co-hosts on the show don’t quite disagree with the analogy. Especially given some of the emotionally charged Jets monologues he has shared in the past.

Rich Eisen vehemently objects to cheerleader slander

With Aaron Rodgers tweaking his calf during the New York Jets OTA this week, the Broadway-based fan base found a silver lining in Rich Eisen’s theory that it’s too quick to attack Rodgers for his age. “It’s only mid-May,” Eisen said. This prompted an article from Essentially Sports that came equipped with the headline in question. “As New York Waits on Aaron Rodgers’ Ankle With Bated Breath, 53-Year-Old Jets Cheerleader Strongly Rejects Worrying About Future Disaster,” the headline said. And boy was Rich upset!

“I don’t care. I am who I am. And I act the way I act,” Eisen hilariously said to his co-host Chris Brockman, who agreed with the headline.

In 2020, when the Jets had a 0-13 start to the season, Eisen said that he didn’t “recall anything worse” in his 51 years of existence as a NY Jets super fan. Understandably, fans took to the comment section to remind Eisen of one of his favorite lines to say. “You can’t spell fanatic without a fan,” the comment section echoed.

“Rich is the head cheerleader,” one comment said. “If the Jets miss the playoffs, he should do a show in Jets’ cheerleader outfit,” another suggested. That could be a possible outcome, given the Jets haven’t made it to the postseason since 2010.

“Rich has nothing to apologize for, in being a Jets fan,” one comment read. “He can object all he wants. Eisen is a Michigan and Jets cheerleader,” another comment perfectly summed it up.

ALSO READ: Aaron Rodgers Surprises No One With Anti-New York Jets Answer

However, moments later, Eisen owned the cheerleader role sportingly and even used it to make a strong plea to Jets GM, Joe Douglas.

Cheerleader Eisen wants more ammunition for Aaron Rodgers

Eisen’s connection with cheerleading goes way back. He lost to an Atlanta Falcons cheerleader in the 40-yards dash during the 2016 NFL Combine. However, the broadcaster has decided to move on and accept his new role in the Jets machine. As the new cheerleader, he requested Joe Douglas to rope in DeAndre Hopkins. The Arizona Cardinals released their superstar wide receiver yesterday. And Eisen wants him at Gang Green over the other options that include the Chiefs, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Buffalo Bills.

Will Aaron Rodgers get another star pass catcher alongside Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard, courtesy of their new head cheerleader?

WATCH THIS STORY: Aaron Rodgers’ former teammate grieves the death of 31-year-old NFL star