Woody Johnson wore a Crystal Palace hat to the NFL owners meeting while his 0-7 Jets continue to spiral, leading fans to call his fashion choice proof he’s checked out for the season
17:12 ET, 21 Oct 2025Updated 17:14 ET, 21 Oct 2025
Woody Johnson, in a business suit, attends a Crystal Palace match
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Woody Johnson wore a Crystal Palace hat to the NFL Fall League Meeting
Woody Johnson's week said everything about where his attention and true loyalty might be at the moment, and it wasn't with his winless New York Jets.
The longtime owner arrived at the NFL's annual fall meeting in New York, held just days before the Nov. 4 trade deadline, wearing a hat that instantly set social media on fire. It didn't feature the Jets' logo or the NFL shield, and definitely not Justin Fields, whom he condemned during the meeting.
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Instead, Johnson showed up representing Crystal Palace, the Premier League club he quietly owns a controlling stake in, and the team currently enjoying the kind of season his NFL franchise can only dream about. Johnson holds a 43 percent stake in Palace, which he purchased from John Textor.
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His fellow owners: Josh Harris (18 percent), David Blitzer (18 percent), and Steve Parish (10 percent), comprise one of England’s most solid executive teams. Palace has become one of the Premier League's most encouraging mid-table clubs, currently eighth with a 3-4-1 record.
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They recently achieved a historic milestone by winning the 2025 FA Cup and lifting the FA Community Shield. They are also competing in the UEFA Conference League and Carabao Cup.
While Palace have thrived, the Jets have stumbled through the kind of season that drains even loyal supporters.
At 0-7, New York sits at the bottom of the AFC standings with a roster that looks fractured and conflicted. Trade rumors have already started, cryptic social-media posts from players have sparked speculation, and frustration has quietly reached the ownership suite.
Fans immediately noticed and were upset at the hat choice.
One fan wrote, "Woody Johnson at the NFL owners meeting with a Crystal Palace hat on. He doesn't care about the --- ---- Jets."
Another added, "Guy has checked out. Crystal Palace hat says it all."
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The NFL Fall League Meeting sees owners discuss rules, player safety, and financial governance. Johnson blasted quarterback Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million deal in the offseason with $30 million guaranteed.
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"It's hard when you have a quarterback with a rating that he's got," Johnson said. "He has ability, but something just is not jiving. You have to play consistently at that position, and that's what we're going to try to do for the remainder of the season.”
During Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Panthers, he completed 6 of 12 passes for 46 yards and was sacked three times before being benched at halftime. Tyrod Taylor replaced Fields and threw for 126 yards on 10-of-22 passing, adding two interceptions and taking three sacks of his own.
Insiders around the league believe the Jets will entertain offers on multiple starters before the deadline, including running back Breece Hall, who has grown increasingly frustrated with the offense.