Jets coach fondly remembers his happy meals

Burgers, fries and football. That was the menu for Todd Bowles during his playing days with the Washington Redskins.

With such an emphasis on nutrition and players’ health these days, the New York Jets coach was asked how prevalent diet restrictions were in the NFL back in the late 1980s and early ’90s.

“We had McDonald’s every day for lunch,” Bowles said, stunning reporters. “A quarter-pounder with cheese, apple pie, and french fries. Yes, we did. Every single day. Friday was Italian day and we had pizza and Italian food. Monday through Thursday, we had McDonald’s.”

An NFL team allowed its players to feast on fast food?

“It was brought in, yes,” Bowles insisted. “Our lunch time was McDonald’s back then. Every day, no lie.”

Bowles acknowledged that teams don’t go for that these days, with most NFL clubs having chefs prepare healthy choices for the players in cafeterias in their facilities.

“But it was good back then,” Bowles said with a smile.

The 52-year-old coach says he had McDonald’s during the summer with his kids, and added that eating it always brings back good memories.

And why not? Those Redskins teams were regular playoff contenders and even won the Super Bowl in January 1988.

“That’ll tell you something,” Bowles said, laughing.