Rich Ciminiapr 25, 2025, 09:51 PM ET
Closerich Cimini is a staff writer covering ESPN’s New York Jets and the NFL. Rich has covered the jets for over 30 years and joined ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts a flight deck podcast. He was previously a beat writer for the New York Daily News and was a graduate of Syracuse University.
Jason Taylor, a pro football hall of fame, picked up tissue and patted tears from her eyes Friday night. He was overcome with emotions minutes after his son, former LSU tight end Mason Taylor, was drafted by the New York Jets, the team he played in 2010.
“The sun is down in my career and I’m done, so it’s great to be able to sit down and see him,” Taylor said on a Zoom call with a New York reporter. “To see him walk through the same facility, use the locker room and follow the same path I took — you’re trying to make me cry. I’m not going to do that.”
He did anyway. He paused for a few seconds and choked. Then something amazing happened.
Brightened my mood, Taylor said, “I have to say that: Jets! Jets, Jets, Jets!”
To understand that, you need to understand the complex relationship between Taylor and the Jets. As a longtime Miami Dolphins legend, he was once again filled with Jets fans. If so, the opponents have made Jets fans more furious than Taylor.
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He then signed with the Jets in 2010. This is the season where he lost his final playoff appearance, the AFC Championship Game. He enjoyed the season in New York. There, fans began to thank him.
And now, the hatred-turned love relationship between the Taylor family and the Jets is all love once again.
“My family really supports me, my dad is a huge supporter, so I hate to say that, but I think he loves the Jets,” the smiling Mason said on a Zoom Call.
Mason was chosen on the 42nd pick, giving the Jets another potential starter in the offense. In the first round, they chose the tackle luer mand membrane with the pick of No. 7.
Jets coach Aaron Glenn said he was sure Mason had the right “pedigree” as Mason said.
“I believe Jason will put what he’s gathered with his son in his DNA and it will appear on the tape,” Glenn said.
Mason, LSU’s best reception of all time (129) and yards (1,308), said he was surprised the Jets chose him for yards (1,308) on tight end. Jason Taylor admitted that the Dolphins had fleeting hopes of picking their son on their 37th pick after the trade-up.
Mason was six when he played for the Jets. They live in Manhattan, and Mason has vivid memories of their time in the big city.
“It was me, my brother and sister running around with my mom in Central Park and working on each other,” he said. “We went to the park every day to entertain us as kids, but it was fun to run around there and around New York. It was an explosion. It was definitely crazy and eye-opening.
Jason said his sons Mason and Isaiah took photos at MetLife Stadium as children with their cell phone wearing green hair and 99 jerseys (father’s number).
“I have so many memories that I really love,” Jason said. “Listen, my biggest team success was in New York. … A part of my heart has always been in New York, the biggest city on the planet. I love it and am happy he has the opportunity to play there now.
The Jets remembered that they hadn’t made it to the playoffs since he left, Jason was surprised.
“I didn’t know that. Is that so?” he said. “Let’s change that.”
There are many emotions during the Jets-Dolphins game. After all, Mason’s uncle is former Dolphins legend and professional football hall of fame Zach Thomas. Thomas attended a Mason draft party in South Florida on Friday night. Jason said he was emotional too.
“I’m sure he’s crying somewhere,” Jason said. “Obviously, we’re all very proud.”
