March 31, 2021 • 18 mins
As part of Women's History Month in March, host Olivia Landis welcomes former Jets owner Helen Dillon to the New YorkHER podcast. Dillon describers her journey as the first female executive in NFL history and what her time was like as an owner of the Jets, including her experience with Super Bowl III.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome into the New Yorker Podcast presented by Visa On
your host Olivia Landez, in honor of Women's History Month,
which is the entire month of March. Of course, I'm
going to be able to invite some amazing female guests
on my podcast, but this month it hits a little
closer to home, especially somebody who was very important to
the New York Jets organization. She was the first female
(00:26):
executive in the NFL, former owner and vice president of
the New York Jets. I would love and it is
my honor to welcome in Helen Dylan. Helen, thank you
so much for joining me on the podcast. It's so
great to see you. You're welcome. I'm glad to be here, Helen.
Let's dive deep into your story. First and foremost, one
(00:46):
of the most important things that I said when I
introd you you were the first female executive in the NFL.
And when you think about it, yes, ma'am, and when
you think about it, uh we I did a lot research, thankfully,
thankfully to Jared Winley, who who is part of our
PR staff. He he sent me a lot of cool,
(01:07):
cool older articles and everything. Let's talk about your story
so your father actually first took over of ownership with
the New York Jets, UM, and then before he passed away,
he passed it on to you, so passed it on
to me after he died. Okay, and Helen, When you
(01:27):
think about that situation, and that was in correct, Yes,
so right before the Super Bowl season, which is pretty crazy,
pretty good time to take over, was perfect. Timing was perfect.
Love hearing that. So when you think back to night
and when your father passed and you did have that
(01:51):
opportunity to, you know, either sell or take over, why
did you choose to take over that that part, that
five percent ownership and remain within the New York Jets organization.
I thought it would be fun. I knew nothing about football, UM,
and I just thought it would be fun. It would
(02:12):
be fun for my children, and it was what was
one of the funnest parts that you remember, one of
the parts you enjoyed most winning the Super Bowl, of course,
And we're gonna go over that in a minute, but
let's dive a little bit deeper into you taking over
that ownership and you playing a large role in the
(02:32):
Jets organization. UM. When you first kind of came out
and decided publicly that hey, I'm going to remain in
this organization. I want to be part of this football team.
What were some of the reactions that you received when
you came out with with that information. Well, I was
surprised because all of a sudden, the press were calling
(02:52):
me um and that surprised me. You know, they wanted interviews, etcetera.
And up until then, I've just been a housewife raising children,
So all of a sudden I was kind of a celebrity.
Mm hmm. And what into your what went into your
father's decision to buy part ownership of the New York Jets. Well,
I think he, like most owners, was a frustrated, you know,
(03:14):
football player. He tried to play in high school or
he did play in high school, and you know then
he just thought that would be fun. So he got
together with the other owner other men, and they bought
the New York Jets for I think a million dollars.
And what about some of those other men who had
part ownership or part stakes in the New York Jets.
(03:36):
What did they think when you came out and said, no,
I don't want to sell this, I'm going to come
in and be part of this organization. I'm not sure
they were happy, but they were always very nice to me.
Really then I was young, you know, and had young children.
I think they thought, oh god, I can get this
silly lady on the board. What was one of the
(04:00):
biggest suggestments that you had to learn coming into this job, because,
like you already said, you didn't know much about the
about football in the NFL in general. So how did
you bridge that gap? I don't know, it just happened. Um.
I started, you know, obviously was going to every game,
and um, I would go out to practice on Wednesday
(04:20):
afternoon and sit on the gatorade truck. Um, and it
just happened. Can you recall what some of those practices
were like for an individual who went from not knowing
a lot about football to now being part owner of
a national football team. What was it like being at
those practices? It was fun. I enjoyed the report with
(04:41):
the men. The players were great, um, and I enjoyed
that And it was just and if all of the
people were great. I sit on the gatorade truck with
Bob Reyese and you know, we talk and watch and
it was just fun. And what what did some of
the players think did the players speak to you? Was
that an easy part for you? Well? I I didn't
(05:04):
think the first time I traveled with some John Free
took me back and introduced me to all the players.
I think they had no idea number when I got
on with three kids, one being like five years old
my youngest, and I think they had no idea who.
In fact, one of the articles in the newspaper said
they were discussing who is she? Who do you think
she is? So? But once John took me back and
(05:25):
introduced me, and once they figured it out, they couldn't
have been nicer. Well, it's good to know that you
were at least treated nicely, but I'd like to do
good that. That's good to know. It's comforting to know
that you know you're being a female in in that role,
especially during that time back then, that you were treated kindly. Um,
(05:46):
you mentioned how you you start out in this job
and you didn't know a lot about football. You said
it kind of just happened. But how long did it
take over time or how did that change your knowledge
of the game and the knowledge of your job. Well,
you know, you could only see so many football games
before it starts to sink in and then too. I
would be on the plane going to the game, and
(06:07):
the coaches would all be sitting up in first class
with me, and I'd hear them talking, and it's just osmosis.
I guess did other owners become more accepting of you
in that role over time? I think they were. They
were all gentlemen and wonderful men, and I think they
(06:28):
accepted the fact that there's a woman and we have
to put up with it and that's it. So they
couldn't have been nicer and more accepting, more polite. I
love their wives. It was a great relationship. How much
were you able to use your voice in big decisions
with the team. Well, it's funny. One time that they
(06:48):
called me late in the day and said, you've got
to get down to New York for a meeting right away,
And I said, but I can't. I'm known to leave anyway.
I got in the car, left my youngest child with her,
my oldest son, and I went in and meeting was
to decide whether we gave Joe Namath raised his salary
to four hundred thousand a year. Yeah, what were those discussions? Like?
(07:09):
How was it that you guys came together and decided
on that final number. It was very easy. I know.
My only question was, um, how about when we're on
the road, do we get filled the stadium there? And
they said, the other owners said that when we came
and played in games, they filled the stadium. M hm.
(07:29):
So I said, then it's worth paying them for four
hundred thousand dollars. Were you the only one who felt
that way or did everyone else feel pretty strongly about that? They?
I never argued with them. They all agree, all agreed,
and we agreed very quickly. Uh huh uh. Well, it's
pretty incredible to hear stuff like that because you know,
so you were so so close to the organization and
(07:52):
you played such a critical role during that time. And
when people hear Joe Nameth and some of the amazing
things he did for the New York Jets, including bringing
home a Super Bowl, you know, people find that very
very interesting. So what are some of your if you
have any favorite Joe Nameth stories. Were you able to
ever interact with Joe and you know, or able to
(08:13):
see some of the things he did on the field. Oh,
I certainly saw what he did on the field, and
there was I know one night we were I was.
We were all having dinner and this boy kept coming
in and asking Joe for his autograph, and Joe was
so nice he kept giving it. Joe, I said, Joe,
this kid has been in about six times. He's selling
that out in the back of the hotel. So I said, Toki,
(08:35):
but to him again, so you're looking out for him,
you were, you were being observant. But the yes, and
the point is that Joe was so nice. He yes,
of course I'll give you my autograph. So the so
the tales are true. Joe Namath was very much a
people person, the fans, the fans player right, he was,
(08:56):
and he was a gentleman. He was really nice guy.
When you think about some of those seasons that you
were able to be a part of, especially that nineteen
six season, what specifically besides the Super Bowl, because we'll
get to that in a minute, but what specifically stands
out to you about being able to go to those games,
especially with your children, Just the enjoyment of it, and
(09:22):
it was something we were doing as a family. And
as I say, I love the report. I had was
a team um and it was just exciting. It was,
you know, better than staying home and doing the laundry. Absolutely,
and uh, right here at the beginning when I mentioned it,
and you were the first female executive in the NFL
(09:42):
at the time. And at that moment, did that mean
much to you or did you realize that you were
making history? No? I just I knew I was enjoying
what I was doing, and I loved the team and
I loved what we were doing, and that was it. Well,
what do you what would you say to young women
now who might listen to this podcast or hear this
and here that you were the first female executive? What
(10:04):
would you say to them if they heard this? I? I
I think, enjoy what you're doing. You can do anything
you want if you try hard enough and enjoy it.
I think you don't want to get lost in the
hustle and the bustle and not enjoy it. Well that's amazing, Uh, Helen.
(10:24):
Let's let's dive a little bit deeper into memory lane.
Let's walk down memory lane right now, because I could
tell when we talked about that season, you got a
little excited there. Um, what's sands up to you about
that season? Why was that team so good? I was Joe,
And I think you know, Joe told him, hey, you know,
(10:45):
he kept you know, he said, we're gonna do this.
I can do it, and everybody was like yeah. And
the thing was that everybody said the Colts were one
of the best teams in the history of football. And
who do these silly Jeff they coming down there and
playing I mean, it just was ridiculous with this loudmouth
Nameth Bill. We proved them all wrong and that was exacting.
(11:09):
And you were there, correct, you were there for the
Super was there? I must say I had to take
the train because I was afraid of flying, So my
young daughter and I flew down, and my husband came
down with the older children, but I was there. And um,
when you think back to that Super Bowl game, what
was that atmosphere like it? Well, again, I was the children.
(11:32):
I got on the bus and went with the players wives.
We we went as a family. Um. It was just
so nerve wracking and if I if I had been
more experienced in football, it would have been ten times
as nerve wracking. But it was just I can't tell
you what it was like. And then after it was over,
I kept saying, did we win? Are you sure we won?
(11:56):
Because of publicity against these silly Jets coming down to
the wonderful Baltimore cold. Were you able to hold the
Lombardi Trophy? Were you able to touch it take a
picture with it? No? I didn't. We did that later,
I think at City Hall in New York. No, I didn't.
I didn't. As you got um older, and as you
(12:16):
continued to work with the New York Jets, and as
you started to understand the game more and have more experience,
how did your role with the organization grow or change? Uh?
It didn't grow really because my duties were there, the
board meetings, etcetera. Um. The way it changes. I got
(12:37):
more involved with the players and their wives. They one
of the wives, Randy Beverly's wife, Ruths, I think, wanted
to start a Player's Wives organization, so she asked if
I would be the owner thing. So I was and
we started that and it was a lot of fun.
So I got to know them. Um, you know. So
(12:58):
it was just more involved in the players and their
lives and their wives and children. It's funny because you've
mentioned that a few times now, how you interacted a
lot with the wives, with the family members of the players.
Why was that important to you. I don't know. I
(13:18):
just enjoyed it. I get maybe I was an only child,
so I wasn't used to having UM, so I just
enjoyed it. I enjoyed being with them all. I'm a
people person to absolutely and UM, when you think so,
you said one of your favorite memories was the Super
Bowl right during your time at the Kits. Are there
any other memories that stand out to you, um? Because,
(13:42):
like I said, the role that you played and being
of the first female executive in the NFL, it's a
really a big deal. So were there any other times
during your career that had a positive impact on you
that you that still stick with you today? I don't.
I know that every Thanksgiving we had um Thanksgiving dinner
(14:03):
at say stadium or what you know, And UM, that
was always fun because then all the children were there
and we gave out heads trucks as presents to the kids.
So that was that certainly sticks out. UM, And I
can't think of anyone in particular. I will when I
hang up, but you know I don't can't right off
(14:25):
the top of my head. Yeah. Well, how do you
feel being part of the New York Jets history? Not
only a small part, but a big part. How how
does that make you feel to this day. Um, happy,
happy that I was a part of it, that I
could get to be a part of it, because it
was a very exciting time in our lives, all of
(14:46):
our lives. Incredible to talk to. For me, I'll speak
for me personally. Uh, it really is an honor for
me to be able to speak to you, because it's
cool for me to sit here and be like, wow,
this this woman accomplished so much and paved the way
without even knowing it probably at the time. That's right, Yeah,
you paved the way for a lot of women. So
what are your thoughts on how the game has changed
(15:09):
to today to until now and how more women are
playing a more prominent role in the league. Well, I
love that they now have officials that are women. I
think that's great. I know that every if if a
player was injured on the field and they had to
be taken off on a stretcher, I always went down
to the locker room to be sure he was all right. Oh,
(15:31):
it's incredible. Well, because I had a different relationship with them,
you know, I had a motherly relationship with them. And
do you think the players appreciated that motherly relationship. I
think they did. You know, I think, um, you know,
these are mostly young kids, are just out of college,
and you know, it's all new new world to them. Yeah,
(15:54):
of course. And did you take pride in that? Did
you take pride in being able to have that relationship
with them? I don't know if I took pride, but
I certainly enjoyed it. I know Bill Latimer who worked
for the team, but always somebody was hurt. He would
come and grab me and we'd head down. UM. So
I had a good relationship with everyone. It was really
(16:16):
really a pleasure. Well, can we talk a little bit
about UM. What went into no longer being part of
the organization? What went into UM maybe selling that part
of ownership, and why why did that decision come into play? Well,
a lot of it was financial, UM, and plus our
lives were changing, the kids were getting married, and UM
(16:41):
football had changed a little. Uh. And you know two
of my partners had died, was just leaving and eye
left and I just thought, you know enough enough. Yeah,
I say a lot of it was financial. I mean,
you know, running in NFL old team, I'm sure it's
(17:01):
no easy task. So when you think back to all
of your years of experience with the New York Jets
and being part of that ownership group, what is one
or two things that stick out to you that you
learned from that experience that you still hold dearly today.
(17:21):
You know, I really don't know. Um. I think the
relationships are the most important. That really sticks in my mind.
And I remember before the games they would have a
prayer service and I used to go to that, and
I remember one time they had a man talking and
he said that he had gone by his um son's
(17:42):
room the night before and I heard him saying his
prayers and the kid was saying, thank you for mommy,
thank you for Daddy, and thank you for me. And
he said, do you men ever think of that of
thanking God for you? And what a complicated piece of
machine ree you are, etcetera. And that has always stood
in my mind. Not very exciting, but yeah, special, you know,
(18:05):
it made you obviously feel a special type of way. Well,
I can't thank you enough Helen Dylan for joining me
on the New Yorker Podcast presented by Visa. It was
an absolute honor to meet the first female executive in
the NFL and a former owner and vice president of
the New York Jets. Thank you so much for your time, Helen.
I appreciate it. You're very welcome. I enjoyed it.
Welcome into the New Yorker Podcast presented by Visa On
your host Olivia Landez, in honor of Women's History Month,
which is the entire month of March. Of course, I'm
going to be able to invite some amazing female guests
on my podcast, but this month it hits a little
closer to home, especially somebody who was very important to
the New York Jets organization. She was the first female
(00:26):
executive in the NFL, former owner and vice president of
the New York Jets. I would love and it is
my honor to welcome in Helen Dylan. Helen, thank you
so much for joining me on the podcast. It's so
great to see you. You're welcome. I'm glad to be here, Helen.
Let's dive deep into your story. First and foremost, one
(00:46):
of the most important things that I said when I
introd you you were the first female executive in the NFL.
And when you think about it, yes, ma'am, and when
you think about it, uh we I did a lot research, thankfully,
thankfully to Jared Winley, who who is part of our
PR staff. He he sent me a lot of cool,
(01:07):
cool older articles and everything. Let's talk about your story
so your father actually first took over of ownership with
the New York Jets, UM, and then before he passed away,
he passed it on to you, so passed it on
to me after he died. Okay, and Helen, When you
(01:27):
think about that situation, and that was in correct, Yes,
so right before the Super Bowl season, which is pretty crazy,
pretty good time to take over, was perfect. Timing was perfect.
Love hearing that. So when you think back to night
and when your father passed and you did have that
(01:51):
opportunity to, you know, either sell or take over, why
did you choose to take over that that part, that
five percent ownership and remain within the New York Jets organization.
I thought it would be fun. I knew nothing about football, UM,
and I just thought it would be fun. It would
(02:12):
be fun for my children, and it was what was
one of the funnest parts that you remember, one of
the parts you enjoyed most winning the Super Bowl, of course,
And we're gonna go over that in a minute, but
let's dive a little bit deeper into you taking over
that ownership and you playing a large role in the
(02:32):
Jets organization. UM. When you first kind of came out
and decided publicly that hey, I'm going to remain in
this organization. I want to be part of this football team.
What were some of the reactions that you received when
you came out with with that information. Well, I was
surprised because all of a sudden, the press were calling
(02:52):
me um and that surprised me. You know, they wanted interviews, etcetera.
And up until then, I've just been a housewife raising children,
So all of a sudden I was kind of a celebrity.
Mm hmm. And what into your what went into your
father's decision to buy part ownership of the New York Jets. Well,
I think he, like most owners, was a frustrated, you know,
(03:14):
football player. He tried to play in high school or
he did play in high school, and you know then
he just thought that would be fun. So he got
together with the other owner other men, and they bought
the New York Jets for I think a million dollars.
And what about some of those other men who had
part ownership or part stakes in the New York Jets.
(03:36):
What did they think when you came out and said, no,
I don't want to sell this, I'm going to come
in and be part of this organization. I'm not sure
they were happy, but they were always very nice to me.
Really then I was young, you know, and had young children.
I think they thought, oh god, I can get this
silly lady on the board. What was one of the
(04:00):
biggest suggestments that you had to learn coming into this job, because,
like you already said, you didn't know much about the
about football in the NFL in general. So how did
you bridge that gap? I don't know, it just happened. Um.
I started, you know, obviously was going to every game,
and um, I would go out to practice on Wednesday
(04:20):
afternoon and sit on the gatorade truck. Um, and it
just happened. Can you recall what some of those practices
were like for an individual who went from not knowing
a lot about football to now being part owner of
a national football team. What was it like being at
those practices? It was fun. I enjoyed the report with
(04:41):
the men. The players were great, um, and I enjoyed
that And it was just and if all of the
people were great. I sit on the gatorade truck with
Bob Reyese and you know, we talk and watch and
it was just fun. And what what did some of
the players think did the players speak to you? Was
that an easy part for you? Well? I I didn't
(05:04):
think the first time I traveled with some John Free
took me back and introduced me to all the players.
I think they had no idea number when I got
on with three kids, one being like five years old
my youngest, and I think they had no idea who.
In fact, one of the articles in the newspaper said
they were discussing who is she? Who do you think
she is? So? But once John took me back and
(05:25):
introduced me, and once they figured it out, they couldn't
have been nicer. Well, it's good to know that you
were at least treated nicely, but I'd like to do
good that. That's good to know. It's comforting to know
that you know you're being a female in in that role,
especially during that time back then, that you were treated kindly. Um,
(05:46):
you mentioned how you you start out in this job
and you didn't know a lot about football. You said
it kind of just happened. But how long did it
take over time or how did that change your knowledge
of the game and the knowledge of your job. Well,
you know, you could only see so many football games
before it starts to sink in and then too. I
would be on the plane going to the game, and
(06:07):
the coaches would all be sitting up in first class
with me, and I'd hear them talking, and it's just osmosis.
I guess did other owners become more accepting of you
in that role over time? I think they were. They
were all gentlemen and wonderful men, and I think they
(06:28):
accepted the fact that there's a woman and we have
to put up with it and that's it. So they
couldn't have been nicer and more accepting, more polite. I
love their wives. It was a great relationship. How much
were you able to use your voice in big decisions
with the team. Well, it's funny. One time that they
(06:48):
called me late in the day and said, you've got
to get down to New York for a meeting right away,
And I said, but I can't. I'm known to leave anyway.
I got in the car, left my youngest child with her,
my oldest son, and I went in and meeting was
to decide whether we gave Joe Namath raised his salary
to four hundred thousand a year. Yeah, what were those discussions? Like?
(07:09):
How was it that you guys came together and decided
on that final number. It was very easy. I know.
My only question was, um, how about when we're on
the road, do we get filled the stadium there? And
they said, the other owners said that when we came
and played in games, they filled the stadium. M hm.
(07:29):
So I said, then it's worth paying them for four
hundred thousand dollars. Were you the only one who felt
that way or did everyone else feel pretty strongly about that? They?
I never argued with them. They all agree, all agreed,
and we agreed very quickly. Uh huh uh. Well, it's
pretty incredible to hear stuff like that because you know,
so you were so so close to the organization and
(07:52):
you played such a critical role during that time. And
when people hear Joe Nameth and some of the amazing
things he did for the New York Jets, including bringing
home a Super Bowl, you know, people find that very
very interesting. So what are some of your if you
have any favorite Joe Nameth stories. Were you able to
ever interact with Joe and you know, or able to
(08:13):
see some of the things he did on the field. Oh,
I certainly saw what he did on the field, and
there was I know one night we were I was.
We were all having dinner and this boy kept coming
in and asking Joe for his autograph, and Joe was
so nice he kept giving it. Joe, I said, Joe,
this kid has been in about six times. He's selling
that out in the back of the hotel. So I said, Toki,
(08:35):
but to him again, so you're looking out for him,
you were, you were being observant. But the yes, and
the point is that Joe was so nice. He yes,
of course I'll give you my autograph. So the so
the tales are true. Joe Namath was very much a
people person, the fans, the fans player right, he was,
(08:56):
and he was a gentleman. He was really nice guy.
When you think about some of those seasons that you
were able to be a part of, especially that nineteen
six season, what specifically besides the Super Bowl, because we'll
get to that in a minute, but what specifically stands
out to you about being able to go to those games,
especially with your children, Just the enjoyment of it, and
(09:22):
it was something we were doing as a family. And
as I say, I love the report. I had was
a team um and it was just exciting. It was,
you know, better than staying home and doing the laundry. Absolutely,
and uh, right here at the beginning when I mentioned it,
and you were the first female executive in the NFL
(09:42):
at the time. And at that moment, did that mean
much to you or did you realize that you were
making history? No? I just I knew I was enjoying
what I was doing, and I loved the team and
I loved what we were doing, and that was it. Well,
what do you what would you say to young women
now who might listen to this podcast or hear this
and here that you were the first female executive? What
(10:04):
would you say to them if they heard this? I? I
I think, enjoy what you're doing. You can do anything
you want if you try hard enough and enjoy it.
I think you don't want to get lost in the
hustle and the bustle and not enjoy it. Well that's amazing, Uh, Helen.
(10:24):
Let's let's dive a little bit deeper into memory lane.
Let's walk down memory lane right now, because I could
tell when we talked about that season, you got a
little excited there. Um, what's sands up to you about
that season? Why was that team so good? I was Joe,
And I think you know, Joe told him, hey, you know,
(10:45):
he kept you know, he said, we're gonna do this.
I can do it, and everybody was like yeah. And
the thing was that everybody said the Colts were one
of the best teams in the history of football. And
who do these silly Jeff they coming down there and
playing I mean, it just was ridiculous with this loudmouth
Nameth Bill. We proved them all wrong and that was exacting.
(11:09):
And you were there, correct, you were there for the
Super was there? I must say I had to take
the train because I was afraid of flying, So my
young daughter and I flew down, and my husband came
down with the older children, but I was there. And um,
when you think back to that Super Bowl game, what
was that atmosphere like it? Well, again, I was the children.
(11:32):
I got on the bus and went with the players wives.
We we went as a family. Um. It was just
so nerve wracking and if I if I had been
more experienced in football, it would have been ten times
as nerve wracking. But it was just I can't tell
you what it was like. And then after it was over,
I kept saying, did we win? Are you sure we won?
(11:56):
Because of publicity against these silly Jets coming down to
the wonderful Baltimore cold. Were you able to hold the
Lombardi Trophy? Were you able to touch it take a
picture with it? No? I didn't. We did that later,
I think at City Hall in New York. No, I didn't.
I didn't. As you got um older, and as you
(12:16):
continued to work with the New York Jets, and as
you started to understand the game more and have more experience,
how did your role with the organization grow or change? Uh?
It didn't grow really because my duties were there, the
board meetings, etcetera. Um. The way it changes. I got
(12:37):
more involved with the players and their wives. They one
of the wives, Randy Beverly's wife, Ruths, I think, wanted
to start a Player's Wives organization, so she asked if
I would be the owner thing. So I was and
we started that and it was a lot of fun.
So I got to know them. Um, you know. So
(12:58):
it was just more involved in the players and their
lives and their wives and children. It's funny because you've
mentioned that a few times now, how you interacted a
lot with the wives, with the family members of the players.
Why was that important to you. I don't know. I
(13:18):
just enjoyed it. I get maybe I was an only child,
so I wasn't used to having UM, so I just
enjoyed it. I enjoyed being with them all. I'm a
people person to absolutely and UM, when you think so,
you said one of your favorite memories was the Super
Bowl right during your time at the Kits. Are there
any other memories that stand out to you, um? Because,
(13:42):
like I said, the role that you played and being
of the first female executive in the NFL, it's a
really a big deal. So were there any other times
during your career that had a positive impact on you
that you that still stick with you today? I don't.
I know that every Thanksgiving we had um Thanksgiving dinner
(14:03):
at say stadium or what you know, And UM, that
was always fun because then all the children were there
and we gave out heads trucks as presents to the kids.
So that was that certainly sticks out. UM, And I
can't think of anyone in particular. I will when I
hang up, but you know I don't can't right off
(14:25):
the top of my head. Yeah. Well, how do you
feel being part of the New York Jets history? Not
only a small part, but a big part. How how
does that make you feel to this day. Um, happy,
happy that I was a part of it, that I
could get to be a part of it, because it
was a very exciting time in our lives, all of
(14:46):
our lives. Incredible to talk to. For me, I'll speak
for me personally. Uh, it really is an honor for
me to be able to speak to you, because it's
cool for me to sit here and be like, wow,
this this woman accomplished so much and paved the way
without even knowing it probably at the time. That's right, Yeah,
you paved the way for a lot of women. So
what are your thoughts on how the game has changed
(15:09):
to today to until now and how more women are
playing a more prominent role in the league. Well, I
love that they now have officials that are women. I
think that's great. I know that every if if a
player was injured on the field and they had to
be taken off on a stretcher, I always went down
to the locker room to be sure he was all right. Oh,
(15:31):
it's incredible. Well, because I had a different relationship with them,
you know, I had a motherly relationship with them. And
do you think the players appreciated that motherly relationship. I
think they did. You know, I think, um, you know,
these are mostly young kids, are just out of college,
and you know, it's all new new world to them. Yeah,
(15:54):
of course. And did you take pride in that? Did
you take pride in being able to have that relationship
with them? I don't know if I took pride, but
I certainly enjoyed it. I know Bill Latimer who worked
for the team, but always somebody was hurt. He would
come and grab me and we'd head down. UM. So
I had a good relationship with everyone. It was really
(16:16):
really a pleasure. Well, can we talk a little bit
about UM. What went into no longer being part of
the organization? What went into UM maybe selling that part
of ownership, and why why did that decision come into play? Well,
a lot of it was financial, UM, and plus our
lives were changing, the kids were getting married, and UM
(16:41):
football had changed a little. Uh. And you know two
of my partners had died, was just leaving and eye
left and I just thought, you know enough enough. Yeah,
I say a lot of it was financial. I mean,
you know, running in NFL old team, I'm sure it's
(17:01):
no easy task. So when you think back to all
of your years of experience with the New York Jets
and being part of that ownership group, what is one
or two things that stick out to you that you
learned from that experience that you still hold dearly today.
(17:21):
You know, I really don't know. Um. I think the
relationships are the most important. That really sticks in my mind.
And I remember before the games they would have a
prayer service and I used to go to that, and
I remember one time they had a man talking and
he said that he had gone by his um son's
(17:42):
room the night before and I heard him saying his
prayers and the kid was saying, thank you for mommy,
thank you for Daddy, and thank you for me. And
he said, do you men ever think of that of
thanking God for you? And what a complicated piece of
machine ree you are, etcetera. And that has always stood
in my mind. Not very exciting, but yeah, special, you know,
(18:05):
it made you obviously feel a special type of way. Well,
I can't thank you enough Helen Dylan for joining me
on the New Yorker Podcast presented by Visa. It was
an absolute honor to meet the first female executive in
the NFL and a former owner and vice president of
the New York Jets. Thank you so much for your time, Helen.
I appreciate it. You're very welcome. I enjoyed it.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Therapy Gecko
An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.