Jeremy Ruckert's first NFL TD catch for Jets a proud moment for Lindenhurst product
Jeremy Ruckert and Jets teammates celebrate his first career TD. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Jeremy Ruckert wishes his first NFL touchdown catch came at a crucial time or in a Jets’ victory, but it still was significant to him.
Ruckert, the Jets tight end from Lindenhurst, said he takes pride in playing hard and making the most of every single snap, no matter what the score is. The Jets were down 30-3 to Buffalo when Ruckert caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Tyrod Taylor with 3:28 left Sunday's game. They lost 30-10.
“Every time you step on that field in this league is a blessing and regardless of the score, you got to play it a certain way,” Ruckert said Monday. “What you put on tape is who you are. So having a sense of pride of where you come from and what you stand for is how you play and what others see when they watch your film.
“Obviously, we got a lot of things we need to clean up and that's not the brand of football we want to play, but whether you're up 30 or down 30, how you play every single snap and the effort you show is who you are in this league. I’ve got a sense of pride in that and just would like to keep building on it. Hopefully [we’ll] have better outcomes down the road.”
Ruckert only caught 35 passes in his three previous seasons with the Jets. He has three catches for 21 yards in two games this year — and his touchdown might have meant the most to his father.
Bill Ruckert, a lifelong Jets’ fan and season-ticket holder, tweeted a picture of him and his son the night the Jets drafted Jeremy in the third round in 2022 and tweeted, “I know this is a bad game for this to happen. We all want it to be the game winning touchdown. And personally all you HATERS out there, I don’t give a [expletive]. My son caught a touchdown for my NEW YORK JETS!!”
Jeremy joked that his father is “on social media more than you’d like as a kid,” but he appreciates his love and support.
Jets tight end Jeremy Ruckert catches his first career TD on Sunday against Buffalo. Credit: Noah K. Murray
“He's living through the dreams that he had,” Jeremy said. “He's been a fan his whole life. He grew up on Long Island and he's been to every single game. He's been to games since before I was born as a season-ticket holder growing up. How much love he has for this team and obviously for me it was the proud moment for him. So I'm happy about that.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
