The mystery of Rex Ryan’s new tattoo was revealed yesterday.
“Believe in yourself,” is the meaning of the tribal-style tattoo on the lower right leg of the Jets’ coach (left). Ryan added the new ink last month while on vacation in Hawaii. When it showed up in photos from Monday’s first training camp practices, it caused a buzz on the Internet.
The Jets got into the act, holding a contest for fans on their Facebook page to guess the meaning of the body art.
“You know what’s funny? I hear the mid-life crisis and all that type of stuff. It’s mid-life, all right,” Ryan, 48, said during his daily news conference.
He then turned to media relations director Bruce Speight.
“What did we talk about, Bruce?” Ryan asked.
“It’s mid-life hieroglyphics,” Speight responded.
“Yeah,” Ryan said. “That’s why we have Bruce say it because there’s no telling what would come out if I said it.”
Ryan then described the black tattoo that takes up most of the outside of his leg below the knee.
“You see,” Ryan said, pointing down to his leg, “you’ve got the mountains, you’ve got the waves and the shark tooth down there. You’ve got it all working.”