Tonight, Thursday, Sept. 19 is your chance to play life-sized Hungry, Hungry Hippos, while watching Thursday night football with a pint (of ice cream, beer or whatever whets your whistle), and also hang out with an actual Super Bowl MVP.
It’s all happening at the New York Jets vs. the New England Patriots Watch Party at American Dream Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. at The Gameroom Powered by Hasbro, located on Court A, Level 2.
Aside from games to play and the NFL to watch, retired New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman is the special guest and will take photos with fans. The watch party is sponsored by the animated movie Transformers One, which opens at select theaters in the Meadowlands region and elsewhere on Friday, Sept. 20.
There is also an outdoor tailgating party starting at 5 p.m. tonight at American Dream. The 3-hour pre-game celebration is hosted by a live DJ and features food, drinks, a photo booth and all kinds of games. Location: Deck B Fan Zone.
The Transformers, Julian Edleman Connection
There is actually a connection and it’s not because Edelman is an actual Transformer, or even voices one. He never wrote a Transformer screenplay, episode or book, didn’t launch his own Transformer franchise. Nothing like that at all.
It’s all over a nicknamed bestowed on him by none other than his former Patriots teammate (and also retired) NFL great, Tom Brady. It was the running back everyone loved to hate that stuck Edelman with the nickname “Minitron” — which anyone can guess, doesn’t sound like it means big, giant, scary dude.
But it actually sort of does in the Transformer world, so maybe the 6-foot 4-inch Brady wasn’t ribbing on the 5-foot 10-inch Edelman. A Minitron (aka Minimus Ambus) is overlooked and underestimated because of its tiny stature. The reality, however, is that a Minitron is a threatening, merciless Decepticon.
Or it just could be that Edelman felt like dropping by American Dream and the Gameroom and someone thought: Watch Party! And: movie opening!
About the Transformers
The Transformers franchise launched in 1984 and became a staple toy line for Hasbro and Takara Tomy, in addition to spinning numerous television series, movies and all kinds of merchandise.
The new animated Transformers One film — opening in select theaters on Friday, Sept. 20 — expands that franchise with a prequel origin story.
The well-reviewed and much anticipated animated film is voiced by Hollywood heavy hitters like Laurence Fishburne, Steve Buscemi, Jon Hamm, Scarlett Johansson, and many others.
About Julian Edelman
After 12 seasons with the New England Patriots, three-time Super Bowl champion Edelman announced his retirement on April 12, 2021. He has since launched a podcast Games with Names, which focuses on the greatest games of all time — from the infamous to the unforgettable.
Co-founder of Coast Productions, Edelman is also a football analyst for FOX Sports, signed with Authentic Brands Group-owned Reebok for a new Walmart campaign, and appeared on Inside the NFL on Paramount+ and FOX’s NFL Kickoff.
About The Gameroom
The Gameroom is the first of its kind, and right now is only located at American Dream Meadowlands. The 41,500-square-foot space includes arcade games, dining, and retail. It features a variety of attractions and iconic Hasbro brands, including larger-than-life versions of classic games. There is a Candy Land shake bar, a cocktail bar, and restaurant with snacks, appetizers, entrees and desserts.
About American Dream Meadowlands
American Dream Meadowlands is an entertainment, dining, and retail experience in East Rutherford, Bergen County, New Jersey. With 3 million square feet of retail space, the destination has over 400 stores and attractions, including an indoor skiing, indoor theme park, water park, and much more.
