For people who knew a young Jeremy Bates, they might be surprised to hear him speak today.
The Jets’ new offensive coordinator preaches positivity, something he learned during a four-year sabbatical away from football between 2012-16. After 30 years around football, Bates needed a break and spent part of the time hiking the 3,000-mile Continental Divide Trail and the 2,200 Appalachian Trail alone. As he walked through mountains, through storms and past wild animals, on what he calls “my journey,” Bates’ perspective changed.
“Sounds crazy, but I was really hard on myself at a younger age,” Bates said Monday.