Canton-bound Klecko Tabs Former Jets Teammate for Hall of Fame Presenter Role
It's shaping up to be a great mid-summer week for the New York Jets in Canton, OH.
Giving fans a chance to celebrate franchise history, two Jets' legends - Joe Klecko and Darrelle Revis - will enjoy enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame come August 5 at Tom Benson Stadium.
One of those Canton-bound Jets named his Hall of Fame Presenter last week.
Klecko's longtime Gang Green teammate Marty Lyons will take the stage at Tom Benson Stadium to present his friend for enshrinement.
Jets DE Marty Lyons on the sideline during a 1986 AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Cleveland Stadium
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Lyons, the Jets' 1979 first-round draft pick, played alongside Klecko on the vaunted New York Sack Exchange. The former Alabama product spent his entire NFL playing career with Gang Green, including nine seasons as Klecko's linemate.
"We spent a lot of years together and I think there'd be no better person to talk about my career or put me through to the enshrinement than him [Marty Lyons]," said Klecko during a short video released by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The 6-foot-3 Klecko competed 11 seasons (1977-87) as a New York Jet.
Klecko served multiple roles on the defensive front four over the years. In 1985, the former sixth-round draft pick joined Frank Gifford as the only players in NFL history to earn Pro Bowl selections at three different positions (nose tackle, defensive tackle, end).
Twice earning a spot on the All-Pro First Team, Klecko amassed 78.0 career sacks and nine fumble recoveries. The Temple product won the 1981 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award after recording an eye-popping 20.5 sacks in 16 starts.
The 69-year old Klecko, who originally hails from Chester, PA, will become the first-ever Temple University football player to gain entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Meanwhile, Lyons, the 1984 NFL Man of the Year, has remained friends with Klecko long beyond their playing careers.
Since 2002, Lyons has provided color commentary for the Jets' live game radio broadcasts alongside play-by-play announcer Bob Wischusen.
The 2023 Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week begins on August 3 with the NFL's opening preseason game in Canton. The Jets will kick off the preseason schedule by facing the Cleveland Browns at Tom Benson Stadium.
Joe Klecko, a 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee, entertains questions during a visit to Canton
Julie Vennitti Botos / USA TODAY NETWORK
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