Per NJ.com article. Here's a quote from Ed himself. Sucks! We need him. http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/03/jets_superfan_fireman_ed_bows_out_of_a_full-time_r.html
"Would I come back like I used to? No, that will never happen. I'm 55 years old. It's pretty much over for me. They want to see this thing continue and I'm in total agreement with that. Ultimately, I'm not going to be able to do it, but there are plenty of guys that have the passion that I do."
"That was very humbling. I'm honored that they would even feel that way to start a petition. I know there's a lot of love out there from the Jets fans. Ninety to 95 percent of it through the years has been good. There's always been that five or 10 percent that can ruin it for you."
"If I could help that chant in any way, whatever it might be, I would absolutely do it," he told Schwartz. "We'll see where it goes but I'll never turn my back on the Jets or the fans. I'll be at the games. Now as far as it being Fireman Ed, who knows? I don't know what's going to happen."