It seemed as if every semi-noteworthy figure in the history of New York culture was present for Game 4 of the NBA Finals, which amounted to the greatest comeback in Finals history.
Jets tight end Jeremy Ruckert was among those who contributed to the raucous celebration that could be heard across the Hudson River in New Jersey, where Ruckert’s Jets are stationed.
The 25-year-old tight end took to social media to share his reaction to New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby’s go-ahead tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining, which went down as the game-winner.
Ruckert is no bandwagon fan; New York sports run through his veins. The son of a lifelong Jets fan (Bill Ruckert) and a childhood Jets fan himself, Ruckert is a native of Lindenhurst, N.Y., on Long Island. He played his high school ball at Lindenhurst Senior High School, where he was named the 2017-18 Gatorade New York Football Player of the Year.
A 2022 third-round pick out of Ohio State, Ruckert is entering his fifth season with the Jets. During the 2025 season, Ruckert signed a two-year, $10 million contract extension, a reward for his improved blocking.
Going into 2026, Ruckert is projected to be the Jets’ TE3 behind Mason Taylor and 2026 first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq. It’s a role he’s equipped to play after taking strides as a blocker in 2025.
The Jets are hoping that some of the championship DNA emanating from Seventh Avenue can rub off on Ruckert and the rest of the Jets players who are lucky enough to be present in the tri-state area and feel what it’s like to build a winner in the region.
