Thursday, October 1, 2026
This Sunday was supposed to be one of the most exciting moments of Ashley Castanio-Gervasi’s life.
The 33-year-old East Rockaway resident and Long Beach High School math teacher and girls’ soccer coach qualified for a chance to win $100,000 during halftime of the New York Jets-New England Patriots game at MetLife Stadium, but a statute in the insurance company’s policy for the “Kick for Cash” promotion hosted by the Jets in conjunction with Hellmann’s will prevent her from doing so.
“I can’t even put into words the level of disappointment,” said Castanio-Gervasi, whose family has owned Jets season tickets dating back to the mid-1960s. “To find out six days before the game I’m not eligible to kick is crazy. I was told officially on Monday [Dec. 22].”
At the first seven Jets home game this season one lucky fan inside the Tailgate Zone was 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 a pair of tickets to this Sunday’s game where they will have an opportunity to Kick for Cash.
Castanio-Gervasi was that lucky fan Oct. 19 and successfully drilled the field goal, qualifying her for the Kick for Cash grand prize.
However, one of the contest’s written rules, which Castanio-Gervasi said was never mentioned to her until receiving a phone call from a member of the Jets staff Dec. 19, prohibits anyone who has coached or played soccer in the past four years from attempting the $100K kick.
“Two months went by without nobody saying a word about me possibly being ineligible,” she said. “I never would have kicked Oct. 19 in the first place. I was never asked to sign anything and the only thing I was asked was if I’ve played soccer in the last four years.”
Castanio-Gervasi was a standout goalkeeper at Stony Brook University and Oceanside High School but hasn't played soccer in 10 years.
According to a Jets spokesperson, all rules were told to contestants before they attempted the 20-yard field goal. The distance for the Kick for Cash has not been disclosed, but all finalists will need to sign an affidavit before stepping on the field at halftime this Sunday.
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.
In addition to being season ticket holders, 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 Jacksonville.
Castanio-Gervasi estimates more than 100 family members, friends and co-workers purchased tickets to this Sunday’s game for one reason only — to be there when she lined up for a potentially life-changing kick.
“Nobody in my family is going to the game now,” she said. “I’m sure I’m going to get some “good luck” texts on Sunday morning from people who aren’t aware of this.”
She said the Jets offered to refund ticket purchasers planning to attend the game on her behalf and to make a donation to the Esophegeal Cancer Education Foundation.
The Jets would not reveal the name of the insurance company related to the Kick for Cash, but released the following statement to the Herald: “We strive to ensure our fans and season ticket members enjoy the best experience with our gameday activations. In accordance with competition rules and regulations, one individual who successfully made the qualifying kick will not be able to advance to the final stage of the challenge. We understand the disappointment associated with this and have made an effort to provide an alternative benefit to show our appreciation.”
