Reviews Write New Review
Location
Booking Fee
Fee: $##,###Get Pricing
Virtual Fee: $##,###Get Pricing
[email protected]
In the 1980s, few defensive lines caused as much havoc for opposing teams in the National Football League as the “New York Sack Exchange” of the New York Jets. Joe Klecko allowed the unit to show a three-man or four-man front, demonstrating the strength, quickness and versatility to play end, tackle and nose during a 12-year career in the NFL.
Klecko is the only player in NFL history selected to the Pro Bowl at all three positions across the defensive line.
Chosen in the sixth round of the 1977 NFL Draft after a dominant collegiate career at Temple University, Klecko made an immediate impact in the pros. He recorded eight sacks (according to the Jets and Pro Football Reference, as the stat was unofficial until 1982) – a team record for a rookie.
When his time with the Jets ended 10 years later, Klecko also held team records for most games played on the defensive line (140) and most consecutive games with a full sack (10, in 1977-78.)
Klecko’s best season statistically came in 1981. He totaled a league-high 20.5 sacks as the Sack Exchange dropped opposing quarterbacks 66 times. Klecko won the Defensive Player of the Year award from UPI and finished as runner-up to future Pro Football Hall of Famer LAWRENCE TAYLOR for that award from the Associated Press. The Jets’ defense ranked fifth in the NFL and helped the team win seven of its last eight games – holding each of those opponents to 15 points or fewer – to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1969.
Klecko ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee in the second game of the 1982 season, but he returned for the playoffs, helping the Jets to a pair of victories before the team fell to the Dolphins 14-0 in the AFC Championship Game.
After 11 seasons with the Jets, Klecko played one year with the Indianapolis Colts. He retired with 78 career sacks in 155 games.
In 2004, Klecko became the third player in Jets franchise history to see his number (73) retired, following Pro Football Hall of Famers JOE NAMATH(Opens in a new window) and DON MAYNARD(Opens in a new window). In 2010, he was chosen as an inaugural member of the Jets Ring of Honor.
News
Related Speakers View all
Mike Sweeney
Former Five-Time Major League Baseball All Star and ...
|
|
Joelle Maryn
Evangelist, Actress & TV Host of Shalom World’s “Bey...
|
|
George Weigel
Distinguished Senior Fellow and William E. Simon Cha...
|
|
David Eckstein
Former Infielder & 2-Time MLB All-Star; World Series...
|
|
Rudy Ruettiger
Motivational Speaker, Author & Inspiration for the A...
|
|
Tim Staples
Senior Apologist at Catholic Answers
|
|
John L. Allen Jr.
Editor at Crux; The Vatican and Catholic Church Expert
|
|
Lino Rulli
Host of "The Catholic Guy" on Sirius XM
|
|
Bonnie Blair
USA Speed Skater & Olympic Gold Medalist
|
|
Karlo Broussard
Catholic Apologist
|
|
Jonathan Roumie
Actor & Voice-Over Artist Known for "The Chosen"
|
|
Mike Schmitz
Catholic Priest & Director of Youth and Young Adult ...
|
|
Jason Scott Jones
President & Founder of Whole Life America, Pro-Life ...
|
|
Michael Sean Winters
Journalist for the National Catholic Reporter and Th...
|
|
Tom Leopold
TV Comedy Writer, Co-Host of Sirius XM’s “Entertaini...
|
|
Sister Simone Campbell
Executive Director of NETWORK
|
|
Wayne Chrebet
Former NFL Wide Receiver for the New York Jets; Assi...
|
|
Ed McCaffrey
Head Football Coach at University of Northern Colora...
|
|
Lloyd Carr
Former University of Michigan Head Football Coach
|
|
Philip Rivers
Former NFL Quarterback
|