WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Though it began as a prank, a lot of surprising things have happened since Mets reliever Tim Byrdak brought a live chicken, who he named Little Jerry Seinfeld, into the clubhouse last weekend. The team gained a beloved new mascot, while players and fans alike got to know a chicken a bit better and realized these intelligent, emotional animals deserve to be treated with kindness and care. Earlier this week, Little Jerry Seinfeld got to slide home to Farm Sanctuary’s Watkins Glen shelter, just up the road from Watkins Glen International.
Less than 24 hours after settling into his new digs, Little Jerry Seinfeld welcomed his first visitors to Farm Sanctuary — NASCAR driver Andy Lally and TRG GRAND-AM driver Spencer Pumpelly. In addition to their skills on the track, both racers are outspoken vegans and advocates for farm animals. And they speculated on the answer to the age old question, “Why did the chicken cross the road?”
“We’re honored to be among Little Jerry’s fans, said Pumpelly. “He’s caused quite a stir around New York and the country. Lally adds, “And he crossed the road to give sports fans a reason to think about how farm animals are treated.”
Brett Powell, senior director of marketing & fan experience for Watkins Glen International, had another theory when he said, “Clearly, Little Jerry Seinfeld is a huge sports fan and he crossed the road to get to The Glen for a weekend of world class road course racing! I mean, he’s only been in town a day or two and he’s already palling around with Lally and Pumpelly. Something our fans have to wait to do until this weekend at the autograph session.”
Gene Baur, Farm Sanctuary’s President and Co-founder had a more serious answer: “Most people don’t realize that chickens are intelligent animals. They form complex communities and learn from one another in sophisticated ways. Regardless of his motivations, Little Jerry is now an ambassador who will meet thousands of visitors at our sanctuary, helping people realize that we owe chickens and all farm animals much better than the harsh treatment they receive on factory farms where they are seen only as commodities.”
A press conference was planned to allow Little Jerry Seinfeld to speak for himself, but it was canceled when Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rebekah LaMoreaux reminded everyone that “even if we never know why Little Jerry’s Seinfeld crossed the road to sports stardom, folks who come to Watkins Glen can enjoy both of the town’s world-famous attractions — Watkins Glen International and Farm Sanctuary!”
Little Jerry Seinfeld has been celebrated by USA Today, Associated Press, New York Post, Daily News, ESPN, TODAY.com, and hundreds more newspapers and broadcast outlets across the country. Even his famous namesake tweeted his support for the lucky bird.
For more information about Farm Sanctuary, visit farmsanctuary.org.
About Watkins Glen International
Tickets for the 2012 season at Watkins Glen International are on sale now! Fans may purchase their tickets and camping by contacting the WGI ticket office in person or by phone at 866.461.RACE (7223) or logging on to the official website, www.TheGlen.com. Gift certificates, daily Thunder Road Tour passes, event tickets and track merchandise are available for purchase at The Shop located at 2 North Franklin Street in Watkins Glen. The Shop is open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday. Keep up with The Glen on Facebook and Twitter. Download The Glen’s free mobile app from iTunes or for your Android mobile device.
