Jets Great Joe Klecko Recommended to be Inducted Into Hall of Fame

Discussion in 'New York Jets' started by MaximusD163, Jul 8, 2022.

  1. Br4d

    Br4d 2018 Weeb Ewbank Award

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    Klecko rag dolled everybody.

    One of the other great Klecko stories is from Marty Lyons. Lyons was drafted in 1979 and he came onto the team as a first round pick with all that hoopla. Klecko took him under his wing although not exactly in the way that most vets would.

    Klecko was like the master of the weight room by then and he was doing things nobody else could do. He'd bench 480 lbs, which was 50 pounds more than anybody else in the weight room could do, and then he'd get up after a set of 3 of those and he'd put 20 more pounds on the bar and do it again. He did this for effect - while other players were in the room - because he knew everybody had to get stronger and the best way to make that happen was to do insane feats of strength himself and put the challenge out there by example.

    Anyway, Lyons was gradually fitting in but he was just doing the usual weight room workouts. The Jets had a list hung which gave the weights and reps players were supposed to do on a daily basis in camp. Lyons was doing that every day. He was a good worker. Then one day he was leaving after his sets and Klecko was hanging out by the door and Klecko said "Really? You're done that quick?" Lyons was a rookie 1st round pick but everybody knew who really ran the weight room and so he listened.

    Klecko said "that list is just a suggestion. If you want to be strong enough to be really good you have to work harder than that. I want to be really good and for that to happen you need to be really good next to me. Why don't we go back in and do a few more sets?" And that became the routine. Klecko and Lyons would work the hardest of anybody in the room. The '79 Jets had one of the best rush defenses in the NFL. They allowed 3.4 yards a carry and Klecko and Lyons anchored the right side of that defense.

    BTW, most of these stories are courtesy of Paul Zimmerman, Dr. Z. He was a great sports writer who at a time when sportswriters were supposed to hide their loyalties had real trouble disguising his love for the Jets. He had the Peter King role at Sports Illustrated when King was still in college.
     
  2. JETFUEL1580

    JETFUEL1580 Well-Known Member

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    You mean if he was a Cowboy or Steeler he would be in already?
     
  3. abyzmul

    abyzmul R.J. MacReady, 2018 Funniest Member Award Winner

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    If he were a Steeler or a Cowboy he would be on Mt Rushmore.
     
  4. JETFUEL1580

    JETFUEL1580 Well-Known Member

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    I agree completely
     
  5. Jojo

    Jojo Well-Known Member

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    FUCK YEA!!!
     
  6. Br4d

    Br4d 2018 Weeb Ewbank Award

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  7. GREG

    GREG Well-Known Member

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    Agreed. He should have been in a long time ago.
     
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  8. LAJet

    LAJet Well-Known Member

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    Waaaaay overdue. He was the heart and soul of the defense.
     
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  9. Will-I-Am-Not

    Will-I-Am-Not Well-Known Member

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    Klecko is all too deserving of enshrinement.
     
  10. Brook!

    Brook! Soft Admin...2018 Friendliest Member Award Winner

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    Somebody please tag me when the news breaks so I change the title.
     
  11. JETFUEL1580

    JETFUEL1580 Well-Known Member

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    About damn time!!! Congrats Joe K
     
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  12. twown

    twown Well-Known Member

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  13. cval

    cval Well-Known Member

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    Finally, Congrats Joe K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
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  14. Br4d

    Br4d 2018 Weeb Ewbank Award

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    One of 3 finalists for the 2023 class. Still need to sweat a bit but we're closer.

    Thread title needs to be changed.
     
    #55 Br4d, Aug 17, 2022
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2022
  15. KWJetsFan

    KWJetsFan Well-Known Member

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    This great, GREAT news!!!! Congrats Joe!
     
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  16. GREG

    GREG Well-Known Member

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    Congrats to #73. Definitely want to make the trip to Canton for his ceremony. One of my favorite Jets players ever. Be nice if the Jets play in the HOF game as well since there will be a lot of green and white there that weekend.
     
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  17. Nyjets4eva

    Nyjets4eva Well-Known Member

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    Congrats Joe Blow
     
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