Thursday, October 1, 2026
A lifelong and diehard New York Jets fan, Ashley Castanio-Gervasi has been to countless games over the years with members of her family, which has owned season tickets dating back to the mid-1960s.
On Dec. 28, the 33-year-old Oceanside High School graduate, East Rockaway resident and Long Beach High School math teacher and girls’ varsity soccer coach will be on the MetLife Stadium field during halftime of the Jets-New England Patriots game with a chance to win $100,000 thanks to Hellmann’s.
At every Jets home game this season, one lucky fan inside the Tailgate Zone is randomly chosen to attempt the Hellmann’s Field Goal Challenge, a 20-yard attempt where winners received a Jets swag bag full of exclusive merchandise, a $100 Visa gift card, and tickets to the home finale where they will have an opportunity to Kick for Cash.
“There’s nothing quite like the opportunity for fans to set foot on the field at MetLife Stadium, line up to attempt a field goal like the pros do, and have the chance to win a $100,000,” said Jeff Fernandez, Jets Senior Vice President of Business Development + Ventures. “We are excited to team up with Hellmann’s to bring this fun activation to our gameday experience.”
Castanio-Gervasi was that lucky fan Oct. 19 and successfully drilled the field goal, qualifying her for the Kick for Cash.
“I’ve played soccer my whole life but I never kicked a football before that day,” said Castanio-Gervasi, a standout goalkeeper for both Oceanside (2010 graduate) and Stony Brook University (2015 grad.) “My mindset right now is to not practice much at all and just treat it like a soccer ball,” she said. “I’m trying to have fun with it and think of it as something my dad would be super proud of.”
Ashley attended the Jets-Carolina Panthers game Oct. 19 with more than 80 family members and friends. Each year since her father Frank passed away in 2011, she along with her mother Lorraine and three sisters — Lauren Almonte, Courtney Mercado and Jaclyn Rothschild — have organized a group trip to a Jets game with proceeds going to the Esophegeal Cancer Education Foundation. So far, they’ve raised more than $50,000.
“The Jets have always been a big part of my family,” said Castanio-Gervasi, who as a kid attended Jets youth football camps and training camps at Hofstra University. “Going to games together and tailgating is family time we cherish.”
Ashley and her husband, Matthew, have taken their Jets fandom on the road in recent years as well with trip to see Gang Green in Miami, Buffalo, New England, Chicago, Arizona, Pittsburgh and soon Jacksonville.
But Dec. 28 at MetLife will have a different feel to it with six figures of cash on the table. The distance of the Kick for Cash hasn’t been revealed, but Castanio-Gervasi is expecting it to be longer than 20 yards.
“As an athlete I’ve always performed better under pressure,” she said. “There is such as thing as good nerves. In sports if you’re not nervous for the big moments, you’re not fully invested. I know I’ll be a little nervous, but I can feel it in my bones I’m going to make the kick.”
