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          New York Jets

          Republican convention in Jets' locker room

          • Jane McManus, Reporter & Columnist, espnW.comDec 8, 2013, 06:40 PM ET
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              Jane McManus (follow her @janesports on Twitter) has covered sports since 1998 and began covering football just before Brett Favre's stint with the Jets. Her work has appeared in Newsday, USA Today, The Journal News and The New York Times.
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          EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Jets had a high-profile trio pay a visit to the team locker room after the 37-27 win over the visiting Raiders.

          Republican donor and team owner Woody Johnson hosted former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Vice President Dick Cheney and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. They watched as coach Rex Ryan addressed the team after the win.

          They didn’t officially engage with players, but backup quarterback Matt Simms recognized the group.

          “I made it a point for myself to walk over there and say hello to them, especially Mayor Giuliani,” Simms said. “He was the mayor during a lot of tough times in NYC and I truly appreciate it because I grew up with all those situations because I always looked up to him as a high-profile figure.”

          Simms admitted it was a little out of context to see them at MetLife Stadium.

          Johnson was a financial contributor to Romney, and during the campaign told a CNBC reporter that he’d rather see Romney win the presidency than the Jets have a winning season.

          “Well, I think you always have to put country first,” Johnson said.

          Ultimately, he didn’t get either. Romney lost the election to incumbent Barack Obama, and the Jets went 6-10.