Taylor was introduced last after the rest of the team had run out of the tunnel and he was greeted with raucous cheers. Moments before the introductions when he was leaving the field after warm-ups, Taylor tossed two footballs into the crowd and gave a big wave.

Once the players went to their respective sidelines Taylor stepped back out onto the field to be honored by owner Stephen Ross. After Ross said a few words praising Taylor for all he did for the organization on and off the field in his 13 seasons here Taylor spoke into his microphone and thanked the fans for “an amazing 15 years. I love you!”

Taylor was then accompanied to midfield for the coin toss by his brother-in-law, former Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas. Fellow team captains Yeremiah Bell and Karlos Dansby stayed back on their side of the 50 so that Taylor could handle the duties by himself. He appropriately won the coin toss and deferred to the second half so that he and the rest of the defense could take the field first. The Jets went three-and-out on their opening series, as it should be.