Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez was feted in a glossy GQ spread before the season began, but these days, he's looking a little less slick, thanks to superstitions. Showing off his beard, the 23-year-old told reporters during a press conference, “Why change now? We’ve gotten into a little routine thus far these last couple weeks and we’ve been on our game as a team. Nobody wants to change. I sure don’t."
In fact, both the Daily News and NY Times examine Sanchez's new beard and his turnaround as victorious team leader. The News article begins, "Four weeks ago, Mark Sanchez was a clean-shaven, interception-prone quarterback doomed to also-ran status in his first season - or so he thought." The Times' lede: " The maturation of Mark Sanchez is evident in his statistics, decisions and demeanor. The most obvious sign of growth, however, is on his face."
The Times also has some hilarious feedback from his teammates: "Tight end Dustin Keller described Sanchez’s facial hair as 'terrible' and said Sanchez was aiming for the Bushwick Bill look. Others called the beard patchy, uneven and wooly," but fullback Tony Richardson said, "He doesn’t look like a kid anymore. He looks like a grown man now. He’s not playing like a rookie, either, so more power to the beard.” (Sanchez's father will follow fashion superstition for Sunday's AFC Championship game.)
As for coach Rex Ryan, he said of his superstitions, "You see this grease-stained [sweat]shirt here? Trust me, without question I have a whole bunch of 'em. As we all know, that's not the important thing and all that. We're not superstitious — but we're not dumb, either." Therefore, the diet will have to wait!
