In a bygone era, Jets coach Robert Saleh showcased his skills as a formidable tight end for four respectable Northern Michigan teams spanning 1997-2000. Those playing days paved the way for an illustrious coaching career, with stops at the Legion of Boom-era Seahawks, Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers, and his current role in New York. However, Saleh couldn’t escape a humorous acknowledgment of the passage of time during his Tuesday press conference.
The focus was on a sideline collision between Saleh and beleaguered Jets quarterback Zach Wilson during their recent 32-6 loss to the Bills. Saleh, with a chuckle, likened the incident to a scene from the 1997 film “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery,” where a character urges a slow-moving cart to stop despite being miles away.
Robert Saleh was asked about his “tackle” of Zach Wilson on Sunday:
“My reaction time is severely diminished… I forgot that I’m old” 😂 pic.twitter.com/xNJ0qmj1Y8
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 21, 2023
Reflecting on his attempt to catch Wilson, Saleh quipped, “My reaction time is severely diminished, for the first time ever. I was trying to catch him, but obviously, I forgot that I’m old.”
This light-hearted moment provided a rare bright spot in a game where Wilson struggled, leading to his benching after three quarters with seven completions for 81 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.