Jets' Legendary PR Chief Frank Ramos Dies at 87

Ramos was a fixture with the franchise from 1963 to 2002, working under multiple owners, GMs and coaches.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 7:47pm

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Frank Ramos, the legendary public relations czar for the New York Jets, passed away at the age of 87 on Tuesday after a short bout with pneumonia. Ramos was a fixture with the franchise for nearly 40 years, working under seven owners, seven team presidents, five general managers, 11 full-time coaches and two interim coaches. He was a significant part of the Jets' only Super Bowl championship in 1969 and was closely associated with the Joe Namath era.

Why it matters

Ramos was considered a pioneer in the public relations profession and was instrumental in shaping the Jets' image and relationship with the media for decades. His passing marks the end of an era for the franchise, as he was a direct link to the team's glory days and a trusted confidant of players, coaches and executives.

The details

Ramos joined the Jets in 1963 and worked with the team until his retirement in 2002. He was present for the Jets' only Super Bowl victory in 1969 and was closely associated with quarterback Joe Namath, who revered Ramos as a 'special friend' and 'special teammate.' Ramos was known for his ability to handle crises, most notably the 1992 incident when Dennis Byrd was temporarily paralyzed. Current NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who Ramos hired as a PR intern in 1983, called Ramos a 'Jets and NFL legend.'

  • Ramos joined the Jets in 1963.
  • Ramos worked for the Jets until his retirement in 2002.
  • Ramos was present for the Jets' Super Bowl III victory in 1969.
  • Ramos hired Roger Goodell as a PR intern in 1983.

The players

Frank Ramos

The legendary public relations czar for the New York Jets, who worked for the franchise from 1963 to 2002.

Joe Namath

The iconic Jets quarterback who revered Ramos as a 'special friend' and 'special teammate.'

Roger Goodell

The current NFL Commissioner, who Ramos hired as a public relations intern in 1983.

Dennis Byrd

The Jets linebacker who was temporarily paralyzed in a 1992 game, an incident that Ramos handled with great skill.

Woody Johnson

The current owner of the New York Jets, who praised Ramos for his 'encyclopedic knowledge' of the organization.

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What they’re saying

“I'm heartbroken. He was with me since Day 1. He was special, a special friend, a special teammate if you will. Today is a sad day for the Jets family.”

— Joe Namath (New York Post)

“Whenever you talked to Frank, you felt like you were getting the true pulse of the Jets. Frank was the glue that held this place together.”

— Woody Johnson, Jets owner (New York Post)

“Frank was a trusted confidant of players, coaches, and executives. And he never missed a game.”

— Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner (New York Post)

“Frank wrote the PR crisis handbook for how to handle things. That was his best work. Anytime anyone has ever said, 'What's his biggest moment?' It wasn't Super Bowl III. It was that (Byrd) scenario and how he handled it.”

— Doug Miller, Saints VP of communications (New York Post)

The takeaway

Ramos' passing marks the end of an era for the Jets, as he was a direct link to the team's glory days and a trusted figure who helped shape the franchise's image and relationship with the media for nearly four decades. His ability to handle crises and his unwavering dedication to the team cemented his legacy as a pioneer in the public relations profession.