By Nicole Breskin
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Times Square was transformed into a sea of green Thursday night as thousands of hopeful Jets fans flooded in for a pep rally.
Gang Green supporters, decked out in jerseys and team hats and waving banners, shouted “Jets!, Jets!, Jets!” ahead of Sunday’s showdown against the Indianapolis Colts for the AFC championship.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg kicked off the rally, saying that the Jets aren’t only going to beat the Colts, they’re going to go to all the way to Miami to win the Super bowl.
“We all know what happened in ’69, don’t we?” said Bloomberg to thunderous applause. “Well guess what, it’s going to happen again.”
The Jets have not advanced to the AFC Championship game since the 1998-1999 season. A win at Sunday’s game against the Colts in Indianapolis would see the home team in the Super bowl, which they haven’t won since 1969.
Fans think strong leadership by coach Rex Ryan and rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez could change the tide.
“I’d like to thank all of you for liberating a longtime, suffering Jets fan," Gov. David Paterson said at the rally. "We’re gonna get to the Super Bowl this time."
Guests also included several Jets greats, such as general manager Mike Tannenbaum, running back Leon Washington and former running back Curtis Martin.
While the Colts star-studded lineup has them favored by more than 7 points, Jets players were certain they had what it took to beat them.
“They have Peyton Manning, they have [Dwight] Freeney … But we have destiny on our side," Martin said.
Jets owner Woody Johnson, who on Thursday spoke for the first time about his daughter Casey Johnson's tragic death, was also at the rally.
Fausto Pugliese, of Long Island, scored $400 tickets for this Sunday’s game. He prays the team will make it to Miami.
“I can't wait to see the game in person. I’ve been a fan since I was born,” said the 42-year-old fanatic, in a Jets shirt, hat and jacket. “I’ve been waiting for this my whole life.”
Steve Feinroth, of New Jersey, said if the Jets make it to the Super bowl, he’ll have to find a way to go, too.
“If they make it, we’ll go,” he said. “I don’t have tickets. But we’ll get ‘em.
“Whatever it takes.”
For now, Bloomberg renamed Times Square "Revis Square" for the Jets star cornerback Darrelle Revis.
The Empire State Building will also glow green and white starting Friday.
Kickoff is at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
