New York Jets Coach Rex Ryan Celebrates Chris Ivory TD with Dancing Hug

For a number of reasons, not losing to the Oakland Raiders is a special moment in a football coach’s life.

First off, you didn't lose to the Raiders. It doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a thousand times better than the alternative. As far as feelings of sheer relief go, beating the Raiders is second only to not losing to the Raiders. 

Believe me, there’s a difference—and New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan exhibited the wide gulf of emotion between “beating” and “not losing” on Sunday when his squad managed to ice a win against Oakland thanks to a back-breaking 71-yard touchdown run from Chris Ivory with just over eight minutes remaining. 

The Big Lead’s Jason McIntyre crafted a GIF of the Jets head coach celebrating Ivory's fourth-quarter score. The sight of it is the reason we watch football.

@jasonrmcintyre

Grown, burly men in sweater vests and poncho shirts embracing one another in a chest-on-chest jig—that’s why we love this game.

Through all the miserable headlines, injuries and administrative fumbling, there’s still joy to be found on the gridiron. Ryan is that joy. Unlike so many other coaches who lose themselves in the search for perfection, he’s just happy to be here.

Watching Ryan celebrate barely scraping past Oakland is more satisfying than hearing San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis complain to NBC Sports sideline reporter Carolyn Manno about not destroying the Dallas Cowboys enough. 

Find happiness in the little things, guys. Take solace in not losing to Oakland. 

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