My all time favorite Jet, Joe Klecko never made it to the Hall. Why?? He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1980. He went to the Pro Bowl 4 times for 3 different positions, DE, DT and NT. Has anyone else done this?? For those of use who had the privilege of seeing him play he was a beast. Not a flashy player but a get in your face gritty player who worked hard. He was a spark on the "Sack Exchange". He is now eligible (after 20 years) to get in through the Senior Committee. Let's hope he gets his recognition. Why isn't he in the hall?
They can only induct so many guys each year. Curtis Martin jumped to the short list, so I'm not complaining about Klecko. He'll get there in time.
He must have pissed someone off over the years,either that or his stats aren't on par with a lot of other hall of famers at the DT position ,I wasn't alive when he was playing so that's all I have are his numbers and if theres one thing keeping him out maybe its that
He was great and it has been a mystery for 20 years why he isn't in. The only thing I can think of is that the other three on the line with him, Gastineau, Salaam and Lyons were also all great.
I definitely think he should be in the HoF, but sometimes it takes inexplicably long. If you don't get in for whatever reason in your first few years of eligibility, it's easier for it to fall by the wayside as the more newly eligible guys get more consideration. Now that he's eligible as a senior candidate, he should have a better chance to make it in, and hopefully this will be his year. With the senior players (who have retired at least 25 years ago), they ask players from the senior's era to weigh in, and if a bunch of the top offensive linemen from the 1980s say that he deserves to be in the Hall, that will probably carry a lot of weight.
agree with you, and also think the senior eligibility will bring it back into HOF discussion. in terms of top offensive lineman of the 80's, they've already been saying Klecko should be in for years now. One of the more notable ones being Anthony Munoz..
I think he never got in before for a couple of reasons. One, the Jets got no respect around the NFL. If Klecko had the same record/stats playing with most any other team in the NFL during that time period, he would have been in already. Two, the other thing that sealed his fate was getting arrested in a scam or fraud or something like that. He definitely deserves to be in the HOF. He is one of my favorite Jets ever. Hopefully, the Sr. Committee will correct this huge blunder.
Joe server 3 months in prison for lying to the grand jury. It was an insurance scam about fake damage to cars and paint caused by who knows. Payoffs to auto body shops and appraisers. About 60 some odd people were involved. He was also the leader of the "white players' in the locker room. There was a distinct division between "White and Blacks" . He also didn't have a lot of time on the field in some of his pro-bowl days...injury. But I still would like to see him in.
Thanks sec314. Nice. To LC Coach. Joe did his time for the crime and this no way reflects on his football ability. Saw every Jet game in Klecko's era don't remember him being out much. Can't say what happened in the locker room. He and Abdul seemed to get along real well. Glad you agree he belongs in the hall.
It really is unbelievable he's not in. There not a god reason for it at all. Guy payed every position on the d line and dominated.
Klecko. It's a cryin' shame he's not in the hall. He left more on the field than most players possess. One of the greatest Jets players that I was lucky enough to watch play the game.
