The New York Jets didn’t just shake their roster Tuesday. They shattered a school-going kid’s heart, too.
Young Jets Fan Left Heartbroken After Shocking Sauce Gardner Trade
Young Jets Fan Left Heartbroken After Shocking Sauce Gardner Trade (Screenshot via X/@tjvilardi)
A father posted a touching video showing his son crying after learning Sauce Gardner got traded. The clip hit different because every Jets fan has tasted that pain through the years. Now the kid unfortunately gets into this misery.
Young Jets Fan Left Heartbroken After Shocking Sauce Gardner Trade
X user @tjvilardi captured the touching moment just after his son got home from school. The boy was grabbing a cold drink from the fridge when he heard the devastating news. The school kid literally froze in shock.
One of them literally burst into tears and shouted out, “Now I don’t like the Jets.” The franchise has lost another loyal fan for good. In that 14-second video, the school kid was shouting constantly and stomping the floor in anger because he wanted his favorite player to stay with the Jets.
My son’s favorite player is @iamSauceGardner. He did not take the news well when he got home from school today. @PatMcAfeeShow @barstoolsports @BarstoolBigCat @KFCBarstool @NYJ_Matt @nyjets @BadlandsTOJ @JCaporoso @espn @7BOOMERESIASON @WFANmornings pic.twitter.com/f2LgESDqV9
— T.J. Vilardi (@tjvilardi) November 4, 2025
The father of two sons tweeted, “My son’s favorite player is @iamSauceGardner. He did not take the news well when he got home from school today.”
The video shows the youngster fighting back tears, processing what every Jets fan eventually learns is that nothing good lasts in Florham Park.
Gardner got traded to the Indianapolis Colts for two first-round picks and receiver Adonai Mitchell. The All-Pro cornerback had been expected to lead the Jets’ secondary for years, but he’s gone after just three seasons.
ALSO READ: Colts’ New Highest-Graded CB Sauce Gardner Drives QBs Crazy Allowing Completions on Just Half Their Throws
But Gardner wasn’t alone. The Jets also sent defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to Cowboys for a 2027 first-rounder, a 2026 second-rounder, and defensive lineman Mazi Smith. Two franchise cornerstones gone in one afternoon.
The boy in the video tasted what it’s like to be a Jets fan. You can’t trust a lead, any player can be traded, and dreams fade quickly.
Sauce Gardner Responds With Humor and a Promise
The viral clip soon reached Sauce Gardner, who responded with some humor. “You should’ve at least waited till tomorrow,” he tweeted.
you should’ve at least waited til tmrw😭😭 https://t.co/yHYoRTe83j
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) November 5, 2025
Gardner didn’t stop there. He promised to make it up to the young fan: “This broke my heart. I’ll make sure he gets a signed jersey and gloves. I got him.” Many on social media praised Gardner online for acknowledging the impact of trades on young supporters.
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Meanwhile, the Jets now hold five first-round picks and three second-round picks over the next two drafts. No doubt, owner Woody Johnson is clearly betting on a full rebuild.
However, for the crying fan, that’s the raw Jets experience in a nutshell.