By Jill Colvin
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Jets weren’t the only team competing at the New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday as fans faced off for a spot at the First Annual National Tailgating Championships.
Four teams of die-hard Jets fans arrived at the stadium before dawn to fire up their grills and slather on the sauce for a battle-of-the-fans to represent Gang Green on Feb. 3.
"We're on a quest for the golden grill, the holy grail of tailgating," said host Richard Shea of Major League Eating as he kicked off the competition, judged by Joe Piscopo, former Jets superstar Wesley Walker and competitive eater Crazy Legs Conti.
Sean Winters, 45, a sanitation worker-turned tailgating master chef, was up for the challenge.
At 6 a.m. Sunday morning, Winters and 24 other members of his family, the "Winters Brothers" team, boarded their custom-painted Jets-themed bus, ready to win. The family has been travelling from St. James, N.Y. to the Meadowlands for every game since 1990.
"We're Jets fans. We bleed green," said Winters, before showing off the team's impressive tables lined with plates of specialties named after players, including Marinated Filet "Mangold" Mignon, "Revis" Redeye and Sizzlin "Sanchez" Bacon. Also on the menu: a pre-Thanksgiving feast of deep-fried turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce. And for dessert? Green sprinkled cupcakes.
"We went all out today," Winters said proudly.
The teams were judged on four counts: the quality of their cooking, their knowledge of sports trivia, "parking lot agility" including the laboring football tire toss and beanbag throw, and team spirit.
"They're looking for heart. They're looking for spirit. That’s what tailgating is really about," explained Joe Cahn, the Commissioner of the Tailgating Institute of America, who said he's traveled over 800,000 miles to tailgate at 650 games over the last 14 years.
For Cahn, tailgating isn't just about drinking or a quick hot dog before the game.
"This is the original social network," he said. "But here, if they want to be your friend, they give you food."
And for some, the tailgate makes the trip worthwhile.
"This is more important than the game," said New Jersey's Matthew Ryffel, 45, a member of the "Lot 11 Flag Crew" team, named after its high-flying flags.
"When you're a Jets fan, you've been waiting for a winner since 1969. You've got to have something else," he said, while flipping burgers on the grill.
Another team, the "Gang Green Grillers," set up their very own "Revis Island" named after the Jets' star cornerback, complete with a sand beach, tiki bar, D.J. stand and ice sculptures.
"This is the epitome of being a Jets fan. This is the highlight," said "Gang Green Grillers" team member Robert Walla, 46, who has traveled from Fair Haven, New Jersey to tailgate at every Jets home game for the past 20 years.
Conti commended the team for its sumptuous shell steak au jus.
"If the Earl of Sandwich had been alive today, he'd be on Revis Island eating that sandwich," Conti said.
The fourth team, the "Jets Stadium Lot K Gate Crew," included a kosher grill where members cooked Hebrew National hot dogs.
But in the end, the "Winters Brothers" took the tailgating crown, pushed past the "Gang Green Grillers" by a tangy Gorgonzola cream sauce that was the judge's favorite dish.
"It's wild!" yelled a jubilant Winters, as his family cheered and waved their trophy high in the air. "It doesn't get much bigger."
Conti urged the family to open a restaurant.
"That was pretty amazing," said Piscapo of their skills.
Fan Ryan Colligan, 27, who lives in Midtown East, said he was impressed by the showing — and all the free food.
"This is some good BBQ," he said between mouthfuls.
Walker, who had enough rum punch and "jet fuel" to be giddy by competitions-end, said it was good to be back.
"I love being with the Jets fans," he said. "They are fans that support you no matter what."
The "Winters Brothers" will now face five other regional finalists on Superbowl weekend in Dallas/Fort Worth.
