New York Jets defensive tackle Kris Jenkins was excited to be back in Bank of America Stadium.
For his first seven years with the Carolina Panthers, he was a beast in the middle of the defense, making three Pro Bowls and helping the team to the Super Bowl in 2004.
That was a long time ago, though.
When he tackled Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams on the first play of the game and his name was announced the boos descended from the crowd.
However, that didn’t bother Jenkins at all in his first game back in Carolina since being traded in late February of 2008. To Jenkins, 31, the Carolinas are beautiful and full of fond memories, but he loves it in New York and hopes to have a bright future there.
“It was emotional,” he said. “I had a lot of fun. It was really up and down. I had some joyous moments, some angry moments, some enraged ones. I never experienced anything like this. That is something that brings a totally different dynamic to the NFL. You can go out there and one minute be playing for an organization then in the next breath you can be playing with somebody else.
“This was the first time I came back, and I have a lot of history here. Not only do I love the place, (but) I still plan on moving back here (after retirement), so I can be close to my kids. I still have responsibilities to take care of.”
Jenkins said it was good to get a reaction from the fans. He said there were mixed emotions with the fans too. He said some fans told me they loved him while they were opposed to his return. He said it even “got a little bit vulgar at times.”
However, he said the boos and bad language comes with returning, so it is something to expect. Jenkins enjoyed the halftime show when the Panthers organization honored former players such as Mike Minter, T.J. Washington and Muhsin Muhammad. Jenkins said it was good to see former teammates.
“It made me realize just how far I’ve come as an individual and a player,” Jenkins said. “It’s been 10 years for me now.”
Jenkins has grown due to his time in Charlotte, and he holds no hard feelings against the Panthers despite a turbulent relationship before leaving. By the 2007 season, Jenkins had fallen out of favor with Panthers coach John Fox for missing off-season workouts and being above his anticipated playing weight.
Jenkins, who has lost more than 33 pounds during the offseason and weights 359 pounds, said it was time to move on.
“You have to understand that some things were not in my power,” he said. “You have to understand a business situation. That is what the NFL is. It is not just a game. It is also a business.
“We didn’t see eye to eye. There is no bad blood. The direction they were trying to move in was not the same direction I was trying to move in as a man, and we had to part ways. It happens with some people.
There are no hard feelings. I saw coach Fox after the game and pleasantries were exchanged. I was just glad to see guys I played with. It’s all good in my book.”
More importantly, Jenkins said his move to the Jets was in his best interest because he needed a change of pace. Jenkins said he had to take care of his family and his departure had nothing to do with his play. He said he was handling his responsibilities as a man and football wasn’t the lone factor.
Through the years injuries have been a factor in keeping Jenkins off the field. He has had to overcome an injured right shoulder early in his career, tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in 2005 and in October tearing the left ACL.
But when healthy, he is one of the best at his position. That is why the Panthers gave him a contract extension in 2003, and the Jets did the same two years ago when they traded for him. In addition, that is why Jets coach Rex Ryan helped talk Jenkins out of considering retirement.
“It’s great to get that presence in the middle,” Ryan said. “He’s obviously a monster in there. It’s great to have him.”
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