By Mariel S. Clark
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — The New York Jets, triumphant after their win over the New England Patriots, got a special welcome back "fly by" of the Empire State Building which was lit up in green and white on Sunday.
As the team’s chartered jet made its approach into Newark Airport, the captain asked for and was given permission to fly close to the skyscraper so the Gang Green players could get a good look, according to reports.
"You guys are awesome," the captain told air traffic controllers, reportedly relaying the message from head coach Rex Ryan, according to the New York Post.
The Boeing 767 was instructed to adjust its course to fly down the Hudson River where air traffic controllers told the pilot the "Empire State Building should be at 11 o'clock," according a recording on liveatc.net
"Yeah, we've got 200 people looking at it," the pilot said. "Real pretty night for it, too."
The flight’s deviation did take it into LaGuardia’s airspace briefly, but the Federal Aviation Administration said no other flights were affected, the Post reported.
As the plane made its final approach to Newark the tower radioed "clear to land Four-Right for the champion New York Jets," before asking if the team liked the view.
"We did, and the team did, too. It was great," the captain said. "I know the coach liked it."
The flight made a safe landing just before 11 p.m. and as it taxied to the gate controllers asked the pilot to "give the team our best."
