By Darin Hayes October 15, 1953, Joe Klecko was born in Chester, Pennsylvania.
College Career Joe Klecko’s path to collegiate football was unconventional. After high school in Chester, Pennsylvania, he wasn’t offered a scholarship and worked for a trucking company. He eventually earned a scholarship to Temple University, where he played from 1973 to 1976. Klecko quickly became a defensive stalwart for the Owls, leading the team in tackles for three consecutive seasons. Displaying the ruggedness that would define his pro career, he also competed for Temple’s club boxing team, posting a 25-2 record and helping the Owls win two national club titles in the heavyweight division. He earned All-East honors twice and received All-American mention during his junior and senior seasons.
Road to the Pro Game Despite his clear dominance at Temple, Klecko was still considered a risk, largely because he didn’t come from a major football program. The New York Jets selected him in the sixth round (144th overall) of the 1977 NFL Draft. His drafting proved to be one of the great steals in franchise history. Klecko quickly solidified his place as a starter, and by 1981, he was the foundational force of the legendary “New York Sack Exchange,” alongside defensive linemen Mark Gastineau, Marty Lyons, and Abdul Salaam. This ferocious quartet terrorized opposing offenses and defined the Jets’ identity during the early 1980s. Klecko played 11 seasons with the Jets (1977–1987) before concluding his career with the Indianapolis Colts in 1988.
Football Legacy Joe Klecko’s football legacy is rooted in his unmatched positional versatility and relentless effort. He is the only player in NFL history to be selected to the Pro Bowl at three different defensive line positions: Defensive End (1981), Defensive Tackle (1983, 1984), and Nose Tackle (1985). This ability to dominate across an entire defensive front cemented him as one of the most feared and respected interior linemen of his era. Hall of Fame contemporaries, including Anthony Muñoz and John Hannah, lauded Klecko as one of the strongest and toughest opponents they ever faced. After a long wait, his career was finally recognized with a Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in 2023, solidifying his status as a legendary figure for the Jets franchise.
Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee: 2023 (Senior Candidate)
- 4x Pro Bowl Selection: (1981, 1983, 1984, 1985)
- Only player in NFL history named to the Pro Bowl at three defensive line positions (DE, DT, NT).
- 2x First-team All-Pro: (1981, 1985)
- NFL Defensive Player of the Year: 1981 (NEA, PFWA)
- NFL Sacks Leader: 1981 (20.5 sacks, unofficial at the time)
- New York Jets Retired Number: No. 73
- New York Jets Ring of Honor (Inaugural Class, 2010)
- Career Stats (12 Seasons, 155 Games): 78.0 Sacks (unofficial total), 9 Fumble Recoveries.