Joe Klecko
Encyclopedia
Joseph Edward Klecko is a former American football
player as a defensive lineman best remembered for his days as a member of the New York Jets
' famed "New York Sack Exchange
."
, and playing under legendary college coach Wayne Hardin
(the former Navy coach who coached two Heisman Trophy
winners in Joe Bellino
'60 and Roger Staubach
'63), Klecko played semi-pro football for the Aston (Pa.) Knights of the Seaboard Football League
and kept his eligibility by playing under the assumed name "Jim Jones" from fictional "Poland University." He also won two NCAA club boxing titles in the heavyweight division. Klecko played high school football at St. James Catholic High School for Boys in Chester, Pa.
Klecko led the Owls
in tackles his last three seasons (1974-1976), twice making the All-East team and receiving All-American mention as a junior and senior. He was the ECAC's Rookie of the Week on October 27, 1973 after Temple's 31-8 victory over Delaware
in which he had five sacks and 15 tackles. He was inducted into the Temple University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987.
. Despite eight sacks by Klecko, his team went only 3-11 his first season. However, when he and Abdul Salaam were joined by Mark Gastineau
and Marty Lyons
on the Jets' defensive line, they formed one of the top defensive lines in the NFL
, known as the "New York Sack Exchange." The four combined for 66 sacks in 1981, including a league-leading 20.5 by Klecko, to lead the Jets to their first playoff game since 1969
. Klecko was honored with his first All-Pro
selection. In November 1981, Klecko, Gastineau, Salaam and Lyons were invited to ring the ceremonial opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange
, which served as the inspiration for their nickname.
Klecko appeared in only one regular season game for the Jets in 1982, rupturing the patella tendon in his right knee in the second game of the season against the New England Patriots
. The Jets made the playoffs in 1982, losing the AFC
Championship game to the Miami Dolphins
. Klecko made a second appearance with the Jets during their 17-14 playoff victory over the Oakland Raiders
.
Klecko moved from Defensive End
to Defensive Tackle in 1983, and was named to the Pro Bowl
at his new position in 1983
& 1984
. The Jets switched to a 3-4 alignment in 1985, forcing Klecko to learn a new position, Nose Tackle. He led the Jets with 96 tackles and five forced fumbles, and tied for second with 7.5 sacks to earn his second All-Pro selection, and become the second player, after Frank Gifford, in professional football history to be selected to the Pro Bowl at three different positions.
, who went 9-7 in 1988, including a 34-16 loss to the Jets. Following the season, Klecko retired due to chronic knee problems.
several times, he has not yet been enshrined. Hall of Fame center Dwight Stephenson
, in describing Klecko as a "great defensive lineman", considered him one of the two best interior linemen he had ever faced. Hall of Fame tackle Anthony Munoz
said about Klecko, "In my 13 seasons, Joe is right there at the top of the defensive ends I had to block, up there with Fred Dean
, Lee Roy Selmon
and Bruce Smith. Joe was the strongest guy I ever faced. He had perfect technique — hands in tight, great leverage. My second year, 1981, we went to Shea
and beat the Jets, 31-30, but he was such an intense, smart player, I knew I was in a battle. He was the leader, the guy who kept that unit together."
Hall of Fame guard Joe DeLamielleure
added that "You can’t think of his ten year period without him. I had to block Joe Greene
and Merlin Olsen
when I was playing and, believe me, Joe Klecko was equal to those two guys. If Joe Klecko had played one position for ten years, he’d have been considered one of the top two or three players at that position, whichever one it was. There’s not another player who went to the Pro Bowl at three different positions. You take a defensive end and put him at nose tackle and he’s just as good there, that’s a great player. We need to get Joe Klecko in the Hall of Fame."
On December 26, 2004, during a halftime ceremony, the Jets honored Klecko by retiring his #73 jersey. Klecko became just the third New York Jet to have his number retired, joining Hall of Fame quarterback
Joe Namath
and Hall of Fame wide receiver
Don Maynard
. On August 16, 2010, during halftime of the New York Giants
-Jets preseason game at the New Meadowlands Stadium
, Klecko was inducted as a member of the inaugural class into the Jets' Ring of Honor.
, is an NFL defensive tackle. Though Klecko never made it to a Superbowl, his son has won three Superbowl rings.
Klecko currently fabricates metal stairs in the Tri-State Area, and serves as a representative for various construction companies. He had small roles in three Burt Reynolds
films: Cannonball Run
, Heat
, and Smokey and the Bandit II
. He also appeared on EWTN Life On The Rock show. Among other pursuits, he is a member of Catholic Athletes for Christ and speaks on the subject of manhood and faith.
In September 2010, SportsNet New York
announced that Klecko would be the newest analyst on the New York Jets
post game show.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player as a defensive lineman best remembered for his days as a member of the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
' famed "New York Sack Exchange
New York Sack Exchange
The New York Sack Exchange is a nickname given to the New York Jets defensive line of the early 1980s, consisting of Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons and Abdul Salaam.-Origins:...
."
Temple University Owls
Before going to Temple UniversityTemple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
, and playing under legendary college coach Wayne Hardin
Wayne Hardin
Irving Wayne Hardin is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the United States Naval Academy from 1959 to 1964 and at Temple University from 1970 to 1982, compiling a career college football record 118–74–5...
(the former Navy coach who coached two Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winners in Joe Bellino
Joe Bellino
Joseph Michael Bellino is a former American football halfback in the American Football League for the Boston Patriots. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1960.-Early life:...
'60 and Roger Staubach
Roger Staubach
Roger Thomas Staubach is a businessman, Heisman Trophy winner and legendary Hall of Fame former quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 until 1979. Staubach was instrumental in developing the Cowboys into becoming one of the best teams of the 1970s and led the team to nine of the Cowboys'...
'63), Klecko played semi-pro football for the Aston (Pa.) Knights of the Seaboard Football League
Seaboard Football League
The Seaboard Football League was a minor American football league that operated from 1971 to 1974. It folded after the 1974 season as a result of the founding of the World Football League, which deprived the league of talent....
and kept his eligibility by playing under the assumed name "Jim Jones" from fictional "Poland University." He also won two NCAA club boxing titles in the heavyweight division. Klecko played high school football at St. James Catholic High School for Boys in Chester, Pa.
Klecko led the Owls
Temple Owls football
The Temple Owls football team participates in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference...
in tackles his last three seasons (1974-1976), twice making the All-East team and receiving All-American mention as a junior and senior. He was the ECAC's Rookie of the Week on October 27, 1973 after Temple's 31-8 victory over Delaware
University of Delaware
The university is organized into seven colleges:* College of Agriculture and Natural Resources* College of Arts and Sciences* Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics* College of Earth, Ocean and Environment* College of Education and Human Development...
in which he had five sacks and 15 tackles. He was inducted into the Temple University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987.
New York Jets
Klecko was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round (144th overall) of the 1977 NFL Draft1977 NFL Draft
The 1977 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held May 3–4, 1977...
. Despite eight sacks by Klecko, his team went only 3-11 his first season. However, when he and Abdul Salaam were joined by Mark Gastineau
Mark Gastineau
Marcus Dell Gastineau is a former American football player who was a leading defensive end for the New York Jets from 1979 to 1988. A five-time Pro Bowler, his 100½ quarterback sacks in only his first 100 starts in the NFL made him one of the quickest and most feared pass rushers of his generation...
and Marty Lyons
Marty Lyons
Martin Anthony Lyons is a former American Football defensive tackle who played his entire eleven year career from 1979 to 1989 with the New York Jets of the National Football League...
on the Jets' defensive line, they formed one of the top defensive lines in the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
, known as the "New York Sack Exchange." The four combined for 66 sacks in 1981, including a league-leading 20.5 by Klecko, to lead the Jets to their first playoff game since 1969
AFL playoffs, 1969
-Playoffs:-Divisional playoffs:Kansas City Chiefs 13, New York Jets 6|referee= Jack ReaderScoring*NY - Field goal Turner 27*KC - Field goal Stenerud 23*KC - Field goal Stenerud 25*NY - Field goal Turner 7...
. Klecko was honored with his first All-Pro
All-Pro
All-Pro is a term mostly used in the NFL for the best players of each position during that season. It began as polls of sportswriters in the early 1920s...
selection. In November 1981, Klecko, Gastineau, Salaam and Lyons were invited to ring the ceremonial opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
The New York Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located at 11 Wall Street in Lower Manhattan, New York City, USA. It is by far the world's largest stock exchange by market capitalization of its listed companies at 13.39 trillion as of Dec 2010...
, which served as the inspiration for their nickname.
Klecko appeared in only one regular season game for the Jets in 1982, rupturing the patella tendon in his right knee in the second game of the season against the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
. The Jets made the playoffs in 1982, losing the AFC
American Football Conference
The American Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the National Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL....
Championship game to the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Klecko made a second appearance with the Jets during their 17-14 playoff victory over the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Klecko moved from Defensive End
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
to Defensive Tackle in 1983, and was named to the Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
at his new position in 1983
1984 Pro Bowl
The 1984 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was played on January 29, 1984 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The final Score was NFC 45, AFC 3. Joe Theismann of the Washington Redskins was the game's MVP. The referee was Jerry Seeman....
& 1984
1985 Pro Bowl
The 1985 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was played on January 27, 1985 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The final Score was AFC 22, NFC 14. Mark Gastineau of the New York Jets was the game's MVP. The referee was Chuck Heberling....
. The Jets switched to a 3-4 alignment in 1985, forcing Klecko to learn a new position, Nose Tackle. He led the Jets with 96 tackles and five forced fumbles, and tied for second with 7.5 sacks to earn his second All-Pro selection, and become the second player, after Frank Gifford, in professional football history to be selected to the Pro Bowl at three different positions.
Indianapolis Colts
Following a subpar 6-9 1987 season, the Jets released Klecko. He played one more season with the Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
, who went 9-7 in 1988, including a 34-16 loss to the Jets. Following the season, Klecko retired due to chronic knee problems.
Hall of Fame credentials
While Klecko has been nominated for the Pro Football Hall of FamePro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
several times, he has not yet been enshrined. Hall of Fame center Dwight Stephenson
Dwight Stephenson
Dwight Eugene Stephenson is a former American football offensive lineman and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 1998...
, in describing Klecko as a "great defensive lineman", considered him one of the two best interior linemen he had ever faced. Hall of Fame tackle Anthony Munoz
Anthony Muñoz
Michael Anthony Muñoz , is a Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle who played most of his career for the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals...
said about Klecko, "In my 13 seasons, Joe is right there at the top of the defensive ends I had to block, up there with Fred Dean
Fred Dean
Frederick Rudolph "Fred" Dean is a former American football player in the National Football League, and a member of the NFL Hall of Fame. His career started with the San Diego Chargers in 1975 and ended with the San Francisco 49ers after the 1985 season. Dean was born in Arcadia, the seat of...
, Lee Roy Selmon
Lee Roy Selmon
Lee Roy Selmon was a Hall of Fame NFL football defensive lineman.-Early life:Selmon was the youngest of nine children of Lucious and Jessie Selmon, raised on a farm near Eufaula, Oklahoma...
and Bruce Smith. Joe was the strongest guy I ever faced. He had perfect technique — hands in tight, great leverage. My second year, 1981, we went to Shea
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
and beat the Jets, 31-30, but he was such an intense, smart player, I knew I was in a battle. He was the leader, the guy who kept that unit together."
Hall of Fame guard Joe DeLamielleure
Joe DeLamielleure
Joseph Michael DeLamielleure is a former American football offensive lineman who was an All-American at Michigan State. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft. He won All-Rookie Honors, after finding out a physical condition with his irregular heartbeat was...
added that "You can’t think of his ten year period without him. I had to block Joe Greene
Joe Greene (American football)
Charles Edward Greene, known as “Mean Joe” Greene, is a former all-pro American football defensive tackle who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL. Throughout the early 1970s he was the one of most dominant defensive players in the National Football League...
and Merlin Olsen
Merlin Olsen
Merlin Jay Olsen was an American football player in the National Football League, NFL commentator, and actor. He played his entire 15-year career with the Los Angeles Rams and was elected to the Pro Bowl in 14 of those seasons, a current record shared with Bruce Matthews...
when I was playing and, believe me, Joe Klecko was equal to those two guys. If Joe Klecko had played one position for ten years, he’d have been considered one of the top two or three players at that position, whichever one it was. There’s not another player who went to the Pro Bowl at three different positions. You take a defensive end and put him at nose tackle and he’s just as good there, that’s a great player. We need to get Joe Klecko in the Hall of Fame."
On December 26, 2004, during a halftime ceremony, the Jets honored Klecko by retiring his #73 jersey. Klecko became just the third New York Jet to have his number retired, joining Hall of Fame quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Joe Namath
Joe Namath
Joseph William "Joe" Namath , nicknamed "Broadway Joe" or "Joe Willie", is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the University of Alabama under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and his assistant, Howard Schnellenberger, from 1962–1964, and professional football in the...
and Hall of Fame wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Don Maynard
Don Maynard
Donald Rogers Maynard is a former American football player who played collegiately for Texas Western College and professionally with the National Football League's New York Giants and the American Football League's New York Jets and the World Football League's Shreveport Steamer.After having been...
. On August 16, 2010, during halftime of the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
-Jets preseason game at the New Meadowlands Stadium
New Meadowlands Stadium
MetLife Stadium is a stadium in the New York City Metropolitan Area, part of the MetLife Sports Complex, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League and is adjacent to the site of the former Giants Stadium, which was home...
, Klecko was inducted as a member of the inaugural class into the Jets' Ring of Honor.
Personal life
Klecko and his wife, Debbie, currently reside in Colts Neck, New Jersey, and have five children. One of whom, DanDan Klecko
Dan Klecko is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Temple....
, is an NFL defensive tackle. Though Klecko never made it to a Superbowl, his son has won three Superbowl rings.
Klecko currently fabricates metal stairs in the Tri-State Area, and serves as a representative for various construction companies. He had small roles in three Burt Reynolds
Burt Reynolds
Burton Leon "Burt" Reynolds, Jr. is an American actor. Some of his memorable roles include Bo 'Bandit' Darville in Smokey and the Bandit, Lewis Medlock in Deliverance, Bobby "Gator" McCluskey in White Lightning and sequel Gator, Paul Crewe and Coach Nate Scarborough in The Longest Yard and its...
films: Cannonball Run
Cannonball Run
Cannonball Run may refer to:* Erwin Baker's 1933 NYC to LA drive* Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, an outlaw automobile race, memorializing Erwin Baker's drive.* Films inspired by the race;...
, Heat
Heat (1986 film)
Heat is a 1986 action-thriller film about an ex-mercenary working as a bodyguard in Las Vegas. The film was written by William Goldman, based on his novel. It was directed by Dick Richards and Jerry Jameson, and stars Burt Reynolds, Karen Young, and Peter MacNicol.-Plot summary:A woman in a Las...
, and Smokey and the Bandit II
Smokey and the Bandit II
Smokey and the Bandit II is a comedy film released on August 15, 1980 in the United States. It is the sequel to the 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit. The film stars Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed, Jackie Gleason, and Dom DeLuise...
. He also appeared on EWTN Life On The Rock show. Among other pursuits, he is a member of Catholic Athletes for Christ and speaks on the subject of manhood and faith.
In September 2010, SportsNet New York
SportsNet New York
SportsNet New York is a New York City-based regional sports cable network which airs in the New York metro area and all of New York state, and nationwide via satellite. It is owned jointly by the New York Mets, Time Warner Cable, and NBCUniversal...
announced that Klecko would be the newest analyst on the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
post game show.