Governor Christie On NFL Network: There's Nothing Left From New York Except The Name

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• published: 09 Sep 2013
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NFL Newtwork Interview - September 6, 2013. (Transcript Below) Molly Qerim: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is known for being outspoken he sat down with our Melissa Stark to talk about defending Rex Ryan and also went on the offensive about the Giants and Jets who are actually New Jersey's team, not New York's. Melissa Stark: What's your relationship like with Jets head coach Rex Ryan? Governor Christie: Rex and I have a great relationship. I like that Rex is very direct and in that way I think we're very similar. We're very direct in our answers and suffer fools gladly and I think that's all a part of the game. (Rex Ryan clip) Rex Ryan: I can say anything I want, that's the beauty of this country. I can answer it a hundred times, I'll stand backwards and answer the question. Reporter: You did not answer the question! (End clip) Melissa Stark: He was heavily criticized for playing Mark Sanchez in that fourth quarter of the preseason game in which Sanchez got hurt. You came out strongly in his defense. Why? Governor Christie: I think it's really tough to defend putting Mark in the game, there at that point and time. I didn't defend that. I was defending his interaction with the reporter and I took some shots at the reporter as well. (Governor Christie WFAN-NY interview audio clip) Governor Christie: When the reporters act like jerks, you've got to treat them that way back. We shouldn't be given this dope the amount of airtime we've given him already. (End audio clip) Governor Christie: That's the kind of back-and-forth that goes on in-between public figures and people in the press and I think most folks shouldn't be all that shocked by that. Melissa Stark: So residents of New Jersey basically have three teams to pick from. Governor Christie: Right. Melissa Stark: The Jets, The Giants and if you're in Southern Jersey it's The Eagles. But apparently none of those is your favorite team? Governor Christie: (Laughs) No. I'm a Dallas Cowboys fan. And listen, this is all about two things how bad the Giants were in the late 60s and early 70s when I was coming of age as a sports fan and Roger Staubach. I saw Roger Staubach play for the first time, I guess it was 1971 and I became a huge Staubach fan and as a result a Cowboys fan and I've been one ever since. Melissa Stark: And how do you think your constituents feel about that? Governor Christie: Oh, they hate it. Giants fans obviously are more hateful of my rooting interests but I told them it right from the beginning when I was running in 2009, you get asked those kinds of questions, I didn't try to hide it. I'm a Cowboys fan and I'm proud of it and you've got to be true to the team you've been rooting for your whole life. Melissa Stark: I know you take issue with the fact that they are the New York Giants and The New York Jets. Governor Christie: Yeah well they practice in New Jersey, they play in New Jersey, most of their players live in New Jersey. I mean, there's nothing left from New York about the Giants or the Jets except the name. It's kind of odd that they're called what they're called but as long as everybody understands that they're New Jersey's team and the Super Bowl this year is in New Jersey not New York, I'm fine with it. Melissa Stark: So five months from now, Super Bowl XLVII right here at MetLife Stadium. I presume you've read the Farmer's Almanac. Governor Christie: I have. Melissa Stark: And? Governor Christie: I think it will be great! We're going to have a cold weather Super Bowl. Let's have some snow. I think it will be fine. Listen, two weeks earlier these players might be playing in cold weather some place else to get to the Super Bowl. I'd love for it to snow, absolutely. I would. Melissa Stark: And no power outages I'm assuming? Governor Christie: I told the commissioner that there would be no power outages. I was with him in New Orleans when the power went out, and he turned and asked me is this going to happen in New Jersey? And I said, "No chance sir, this kind of thing does not happen in New Jersey".