NFL Honors night was a special occasion for fans of the New York Jets. Not only did they become the third team in NFL history to have both winners of the offensive and defensive Rookie of the Year awards, but some of the top names in team history also received immortal recognition.
Cornerback Darrelle Revis and defensive tackle, Joe Klecko both headlined the 2023 NFL Hall-of-Fame class. Other names such as Ronde Barber, Zach Thomas, and Joe Thomas will also be enshrined in Canton, Ohio over the summer. Revis and Thomas are the two First-Ballot Hall-of-Famers in this class.
During the late 2000s, there wasn’t a better corner in football than Revis for the Jets. Creating the term “Revis Island” the former 14th overall pick in 2007 was a four-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro-Bowler. His 2009 season where he held NFL greats like Calvin Johnson, Randy Moss, and other top receivers to minimal numbers is considered one of the greatest seasons for a corner in NFL history.
The Jets’ lone recipient of the All-Decade team of the 2010s, Revis’ march to Canton is one of dominance and an ability to come back from poor seasons.
Revis isn’t the only New York Jets’ defender getting enshrined this year though. And this one took much longer to get there.
Joe Klecko is considered a franchise great. But his numbers truly support him being one of the most versatile and dominant players in NFL History. A member, along with Mark Gastineau, of the “New York Sack Exchange” Klecko was an All-Pro twice, including in 1981 when he unofficially led the NFL with 20 1/2 sacks and finished second to Lawrence Taylor in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.
The Jets’ top interior defender hadn’t played in a game for over 30 years and was a part of the HOF Senior Selection Committee which gave the tackle a good, but outside chance of finally being enshrined in Canton.
“Congratulations, Joe, on being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Jets owner, Woody Johnson said in a statement. “You were one of the greatest players to ever wear the Jets uniform. You played every position on the defensive line and took no prisoners. Your impact on the history of the New York Jets was huge and I’m so happy you’ve gotten this honor that you richly deserve.”
Both Revis and Klecko are considered all-time New York Jets greats. After years of tying for Klecko, and one year of waiting for Revis, both will be immortalized in Canton, Ohio in August before the kickoff of the 2023 season.
