I loved watching the NY Sac Exchange! Gastineau's issue is he was super cocky. He was one of the first to do an exaggerated Sac Dance over the fallen QB. This actually angered KIecko, who was far more blue collar, lunch pail guy. I vaguely recall one moment when Klecko interrupted G's sac dance, as in "that's enough". Off field I guess I recall him being just as cocky. I actually liked it, as he was one of our few bright spots.
Great post. I have that game on DVD somewhere. I’m going to dig it out and watch it again. I remember that game was featured on Channel 4 in the UK. There were so many touchdowns it ended up looking like a scoring summary and you got no feel for the subtle elements in the game, like Klecko’s performance… which actually doesn’t sound that subtle.
Look at the players who commented. All of them offensive lineman Dwight Stephenson (MIA), John Hannah (NE), Joe DeLamielleure (BUF), Anthony Munoz (CIN). All of them in the HOF. Everyone of them said Joe Klecko was one of the best they ever faced. Three of them would really know since they played for the Jets rivals and faced him twice a year.
Joe De made some great points. Klecko dominated at 3 positions. That was the most exciting I've ever seen a Jets defense. Klecko and Gastineau just wrecking offensive lines.
When he was a rookie the vets tried to nickname him "Bam-bam" after the blond toddler on the Flinstones who could lift houses. That lasted about 48 hours before he said "No."
The amazing thing of course is that they stopped calling him Bam-bam. Rookies don't get to say no like that but the Jets collectively decided it was the wiser course to refrain.
(20) Rich Cimini on Twitter: "Former Jets great Joe Klecko was named one of 12 finalists in the senior category for the @ProFootballHOF, it was announced today. The 12-member senior committee meets Aug. 16 to determine final 3. Klecko, a finalist last year, seems to have legit momentum this time. #Jets" / Twitter
