The New York Jets have performed a U-turn and will now allow a diehard fan to compete in a $100,000 field goal challenge after initially denying her the opportunity.
Season ticket holder Ashley Castanio-Gervasi initially qualified for the final round of the ‘Kick for Cash’ competition, which is set to take place at Sunday’s game.
However, as first reported by the New York Post, the Jets cancelled her invite because she is the head coach of a high school girls’ soccer team on Long Island.
The decision sparked major backlash on social media and, shortly afterwards, the team performed a dramatic U-turn and will now allow her to compete.
In a statement provided to the New York Post, the Jets said: ‘We realized there was an unfortunate misunderstanding regarding Ashley’s eligibility for the contest.
‘In an effort to remedy the situation, we are allowing her to kick this Sunday for an opportunity to win the prize. We value the passion and loyalty of our fans and are committed to creating memorable experiences.’
The New York Jets have performed a dramatic U-turn after refusing to let a super-fan compete in a $100,000 field goal challenge
Ashley Castanio-Gervasi was initially denied the chance to compete in the competition
Castanio-Gervasi, who previously played as a Division I goalkeeper at Stony Brook University, had qualified for the finals by nailing a 20-yard field goal in October.
The teacher had planned to use the life-changing money for a home and to support cancer charities in memory of her late father, Frank.
‘This is life-changing money for me,’ she told the Post before the reversal. ‘I was confident I could have made it’.
‘The whole thing is extremely upsetting,’ she told the Post. ‘Me and my whole family are let down.’
Castanio-Gervasi – who has $3,000 season tickets with her husband and travels to away games – would have put the money toward buying her first home and donating to the Esophageal Cancer Education Foundation.
The math teacher was initially scouted for the competition after making a kick outside MetLife Stadium during the tailgate for the Jets’ clash with the Bills in September.
She claimed two Jets staffers ‘chased her down’ and invited her to take part. ‘The one question I was asked was if I played college soccer, and how long ago,’ Castanio-Gervasi said.
The 33-year-old was the only woman to reach the final after she nailed a kick at the Jets vs. Panthers game a few weeks later – in front of 75 loved ones.
Castanio-Gervasi qualified for the final round of the ‘Kick for Cash’ competition at MetLife
‘The whole thing is extremely upsetting… me and my whole family are let down,’ she said
However, on Christmas Day, it emerged that the Jets had gone back on their decision and were refusing to let her compete.
‘In accordance with competition rules and regulations, one individual who successfully made the qualifying kick will not be able to advance to the final stage of the challenge,’ the Jets said in a statement to The Post.
‘We understand the disappointment associated with this and have made an effort to provide an alternative benefit to show our appreciation.’
It’s claimed Castanio-Gervasi was offered – as a consolation – a custom jersey and $100 Visa gift card.
