I moved to New Jersey when I was 5 years old, and at the point, I couldn't speak a lick of English. I remember going outside one day and one of the boys from the neighborhood asked me what my favorite football team was. Not knowing any English I just shrugged, so the kid who asked the question, decided that I was going to be a New York Jets fan -- and I complied.
That next day the Jets were playing so I tuned in, and ever since that point, I've never missed a play. As my love for the sport and the team grew, and seeing all the other kids running around with their jerseys on, I asked my parents if I could have one. At that point, we weren't so well-off financially, at least not enough to splurge on a $25 jersey, so my mom went out of her way to knit me a Jets sweater.
I don't know if this is the reason my love for the team grew or why I've set my goals on buying the Jets, but there's no question that that jersey is the most sentimental piece of apparel I own -- so much so that I've had to put it away in storage, hedging against any tragic events ruining it forever.
Buying the New York Jets, having the sweater made, and not being able to speak any English when I first heard about the team all represent something incredibly special in my life -- friends, family, the New York Jets, and this beautiful country that's let me become the individual I am today. For that, I am forever grateful, and the only thing that would make life a bit sweeter would be if I attained my goal of owning the New York Jets.

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Gary Vaynerchuk is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal Best-Selling author, self-taught wine expert, and innovative entrepreneur. Find more at http://garyvaynerchuk.com
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