Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 1: Woody’s Comments (Oct 21, 2025)

Episode Overview

This episode of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" zeroes in on New York Jets owner Woody Johnson’s controversial comments at the NFL owners’ meetings. With Alan Hahn out, Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg steer an hour full of raw sports talk, focusing heavily on the ramifications of Johnson's remarks regarding the Jets’ leadership and lingering franchise dysfunction. The hour weaves together biting analysis, direct quotes, and the frustrated voices of long-suffering Jets fans, capturing the angst and humor that define New York sports radio.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Don’s Misadventures in Toronto (01:08–04:24)

• Don recounts missing a flight due to passport card confusion (card works for land/sea, not air travel), leaving him stressed before broadcasting from Toronto.
  • Tone: Casual, humorous, self-deprecating.
  • Notable moment about how day-of travel is "no margin for error".

2. World Series Pop Culture Angle (04:31–05:43)

• Peter connects the upcoming World Series matchup (Toronto vs. Los Angeles) to the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar hip-hop rivalry, joking about on-field performances.
  • “Is it beneath them at this point, or can they still bring that back and Kendrick do LA and Drake do Toronto?” – Don (05:08)

3. Woody Johnson’s Comments: A Franchise in Crisis (06:05–16:26)

• Main Focus: The duo break down Woody Johnson’s remarks, particularly his public support for coach Aaron Glenn while blaming the team’s failures on quarterback Justin Fields.
  • Johnson’s support for Glenn simultaneously undermines him by blasting Fields, essentially taking personnel decisions out of the coach’s hands.
  • The dysfunction and lack of football acumen at the ownership level is lambasted as the team's major curse.
  • Memorable Quote:
    “That is, as the kids say, nasty work by Woody Johnson.” – Peter (08:21)

Timestamps & Quotes:

• [06:30] Don quotes Johnson:
  “I do. I think Aaron. I do believe in Aaron. I’ve known Aaron since 1996… there’s no bs. There’s no second agendas. What you’re hearing is the truth…a lot of times players don’t get the truth. They get a lot of gobbledygook.”
• [06:59] Don on Johnson’s lack of confidence in Fields:
  “It looks like he’s turning around parts of it. You know, it’s hard when you have a quarterback with a rating that you got… He has the ability, but something just is not jiving.”
• [07:23] Peter:
  “Just completely throwing the quarterback under the bus, which the fans are going to love, by the way…”
• [08:26] Don jokingly adopts youth slang:
  “That is the definition of nasty work.”
• [09:19] Peter on Johnson:
  “Woody Johnson makes Jerry Jones look like that because…at least Don, Jerry knows what he’s doing.”

4. What Makes a Bad Owner? (09:31–14:43)

• Don compares Woody Johnson to Jerry Jones (DAL) and John Mara (NYG), highlighting differing failures: ego vs. heart vs. sheer incompetence.

  • Johnson lacks football knowledge and self-awareness but is otherwise “not a bad guy.”
  • Ownership as a billionaire’s hobby; Johnson sees the team as a toy (“You only make [money] once you sell it” – anecdote from Michael Kay).

• Notable Rant:

  • Don: “It would be like if I, as a billionaire, bought a hospital and started giving opinions on brain surgery. It’s at that level of not understanding.” (10:30)
  • Peter: “Everything with this team is him just going out… How could you be this close to it and be that much of a moron?” (11:29)

5. Fanbase Frustration & Erosion (15:10–20:34)

• Don and Peter reflect on how Johnson’s statements, and poor leadership in general, are alienating the Jets fanbase.
  • Describes increased empty seats, decreased call-ins (notably from famous fans like "Ira").
  • “We’re seeing an erosion of this great fan base … this is the most beat-up franchise in New York.” – Don (20:29)
• Parallels drawn to the Buffalo Sabres’ dwindling attendance.
• Listener Matt messages in about attending games purely for tailgating, not results.

6. Longtime Jets Fans Weigh In (32:38–39:06)

• Keith (Caller, 32:38):
  • A 38-year season ticket holder admits attending games is now about family, not team enjoyment:
    “…most of the time, it’s just. It’s not enjoyable to watch anymore. It’s just. It’s so hard. You sit there, you wait for the wheels to fall off…” (33:26)
• Carl (Caller, 37:58):
  • Old-school Jets fan connects perpetual disappointment back to the Testaverde injury in 1999.
  • Still loyal, but “sick to my stomach … when does it end?” (39:06)

7. There’s (Still) No Escape: Ownership Change Improbable (34:58–36:53)

• Peter: With no scandal brewing (unlike Dan Snyder in Washington), the league won’t step in to force a sale.
  • “You’re just permanently stuck.” (35:59)
• Don: The NFL will only intervene in ownership if there’s family infighting or illegal activity; otherwise, owners bury themselves.

8. Franchise Dysfunction: Rinse and Repeat (44:53–48:43)

• Jonathan (Caller, 44:53):
  • Jets dysfunction is “rinse and repeat,” with repeated failed resets and rare player overperformance.
  • La Greca and Rosenberg try to name five Jets who surprised in a positive way—isolate Testaverde, Fitzpatrick, Wayne Chrebet, but it’s rare.
• Jose (Caller, 47:30):
  • Jets’ lack of a long-term plan at quarterback further underlines franchise paralysis.

9. Quick Hits & Side Notes

• Quick chat about Carmelo Anthony’s podcast featuring Stephen A. Smith going in on LeBron James; Peter sees it as savvy attention management. (48:45–50:43)
• Lighthearted segment on random sports/golf celebrity encounters. (29:35–31:12)
• Don mentions his upcoming guest DJ spot on Ozzy’s Boneyard, sharing his favorite metal songs. (31:21)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Don La Greca (On Woody Johnson’s football IQ):
  “It’s at that level of not understanding. It would be like … I bought a hospital where they operate on brains … Then they start asking me, so, what do you think of these doctors?” (10:30)
• Peter Rosenberg (On the curse):
  “The curse isn’t a curse. The curse is Woody Johnson.” (08:21)
• Don La Greca (On the fan allegiance):
  “But, Peter, I’m starting to sense that maybe they’re not going to continue to come back if this ends up being what it looks like it’s going to be.” (16:09)
• Caller Keith:
  “I just sit there most of the time. It’s just. It’s not enjoyable to watch anymore. … you’re embarrassed to say you’re a Jet fan.” (33:26)
• Caller Carl:
  “My jet jacket hasn’t left the closet since Testaverde went down … I’m still a loyal Jets fan, but I’m sick to my stomach.” (38:19)

Segment Timestamps

• [01:08] – Don in Toronto/travel mishap
• [04:31] – World Series: Kendrick vs. Drake narrative
• [06:05] – [16:26] – Woody Johnson’s comments dissected; owner as root of Jets’ woes
• [15:10] – Don’s reflection on franchise’s fanbase erosion
• [32:38] – [39:06] – Season ticket holders vent frustration
• [44:53] – [48:43] – Jets futility; list of overachieving (rare) players

Thematic Takeaway

Hour 1 of “Don, Hahn & Rosenberg” uses Woody Johnson’s tone-deaf comments as a springboard for a larger, soul-searching conversation about ownership, dysfunction, and fan disillusionment across New York football. It’s a blend of sharp critique, cathartic laughter, and open hotline therapy—all delivered in the familiar voice and cadence of cynical, battle-scarred sports fans. The pain of being a Jets fan has rarely been so sharply, or humorously, articulated.