The Long Island super fan who was invited, disinvited and then re-invited to attempt a halftime field goal missed the kick Sunday – and lost out on the $100,000 prize.
Ashley Castanio-Gervasi, 33, still got a kick out of the day — and a stadium going bonkers on her behalf.
“My husband said to me right before, ‘Money is money, but you can never put a price on the way you’re going to feel during this experience,” she told The Post Sunday night.
“Being a die-hard Jets fan, getting on that field and being in the tunnel … it was awesome. There was such a roar and a cheer for me.”
She booted her kick short, but on target, from 30 yards during the “Kick For Cash” competition in the middle of the Jets vs. Patriots game at MetLife Stadium after a whirlwind week that drew international headlines.
Ashley Castanio-Gervasi, 33, just missed the “life-changing” chance from 30 yards in the middle of the Jets vs. Patriots game. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
Castanio-Gervasi aimed to use winnings for a house and charity, honoring her late father. Obtained by the NY PostThe former Stony Brook University goalie had qualified for the finals in October after making a 20-yard attempt outside the stadium in a tailgate zone. She was one of four finalists and the only woman, which she told The Post Monday “gives me a chip on my shoulder.”
Hours after expressing her excitement — and nailing kicks from 25 yards at her school — Castanio-Gervasi was told she couldn’t participate in the contest because of an insurance clause that said she couldn’t participate because she coaches the Long Beach High School’s girls soccer team.
The former Stony Brook University goalie had qualified for the finals in October. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
The superfan initially had her eligibility revoked from the “Kick For Cash” competition.
Hours after expressing her excitement Castanio-Gervasi was told she couldn’t participate in the contest because of an insurance clause. Bill Kostroun/New York PostThe NFL squad and contest runners reversed course after The Post put Castanio-Gervasi on its Friday cover. Her story sparked a fierce reaction from the sports world — and ESPN’s Pat McAfee even messaged the coach that he was going to find a way to have her kick on “College GameDay” had the Jets not rectified the situation.
Even if Castanio-Gervasi had made the kick, she would’ve had to also connect with a 40-yard attempt to earn the $100,000, those in attendance said.
None of the four contestants went home with the money.
Castanio-Gervasi became a Jets fanatic thanks to her late, longtime season ticket-holding father, Frank, who died from esophageal cancer in 2011. Her plan was to put any winnings toward a house and the Esophageal Cancer Education Foundation.
She became a Gang Green fanatic thanks to her late, longtime season ticket holding father, Frank. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
Castanio-Gervasi, 33, is a die hard Jets fan. Obtained by the NY PostFans at the game, even those pulling for the Patriots, treated Castanio-Gervasi as the real MVP after her story tugged on many heartstrings.
“It was crazy. People are asking to take pictures with me,” said the diehard, who is “thankful” to the Jets for getting her back in.
A dejected Gang Green fan is even heard shouting, “Give us something to cheer about!” as the ball misses its target, in a video of the kick.
Castanio-Gervasi stayed loose ahead of the try and didn’t focus on the pressure of becoming an overnight global sensation that garnered attention from names like Adam Schefter.
Ashley Castanio-Gervasi and her family at Sunday’s game. Ashley Castanio-GervasiShe had spent Saturday night with her family making fun TikTok dance videos while sporting Jets green colored sweaters — a day after physical therapy for knee surgery on her non-kicking leg.
Castanio-Gervasi’s family had ditched their tickets to the game after she had been cut, but a good 50 loved ones ended up watching from the swanky Corona Club courtesy of the Jets.
“My nieces and nephews got to go to their first football game ever, and we got to really spend a day remembering my dad,” she said.
The woman of the hour and her FDNY husband, Matthew, enjoyed on-field access in the Coaches’ Club, where Castanio-Gervasi again saw the impact she made.
“One season ticket holder in there said he read my story and called the Jets. He was going to give up his season tickets and had others ready to do the same.”
“It makes you really proud of this fanbase … even though times get tough, we still support each other, support this team, and it really does bring people together.”
The moment, not the money, is all she cares about heading into a new year and new season.
“Looking up, I saw my family waving down at me, so that grounded me a lot,” said Castanio-Gervasi.
“It’s something I’ll never forget. This was the best game I’ve ever been to,” she added of the 42-10 blowout loss.






