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Rex Ryan Admits That Unusual Tattoo Of Wife In Sanchez Jersey Is Real

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Is it real or isn't it?

That was one of the questions during the Jets' highly-anticipated press conference on Tuesday.

The New York Daily News ran a photo on Friday of the Jets' head coach, sunbathing in the Bahamas, sporting an interesting choice of ink on his right arm. The tattoo was of a woman, resembling his wife Michelle, wearing just a jersey with Mark Sanchez's No. 6.

The debate was instant, hot and heavy: Permanent? Temporary? Does it matter?

Tattoo artist Eugene Taase later posted what appeared to be photographic proof to his Instagram page: an alternate close-up of the tattoo.

Well so-called "Tattoogate" was put to rest on Tuesday when Ryan addressed the issue and came clean about the ink.

"There's a question of, 'Is that a real tattoo or not?' Ryan said. "I'll keep you guessing. But no, it's funny, it's actually a tattoo I've had going on three years now. I know what you're thinking. Obviously if Sanchez doesn't play better that number is changing. That's pretty much a given."

Ryan then admitted that the woman is indeed his wife, and he took a moment to honor her during a moment of awkwardness in the press room.

"I've been married 25 years, and in my eyes my wife is the most beautiful woman in the world," Ryan said. "So that's what it is."

Taase said he tattooed the image for Ryan in 2010.

"Btw, it's a fan drawing he brought in himself, we just agreed on changing the number from 8 to 6!!! Lol," Taase wrote.

Local apparel brand Crosstown New York unearthed and tweeted Taase's post on Monday morning. Crosstown put a T-shirt based on Ryan's tattoo up for sale on Sunday.

So now that we know the tattoo is real, what is your thought on it? Hilarious? Creepy? Stupid? Ridiculous? Let's hear your thoughts in the comments section below...

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