Gerry Philbin, one of the most beloved and accomplished players in the history of the New York Jets history, passed away this week at the age of 83.
Philbin was a two-time Pro Bowler, a two-time All-Pro and and AFL champion over the course of his decade-long pro football career.
He ended up retiring in 1973 after one season with the Eagles and a total 66.5 sacks in 123 games. ... oh, and he was a pivotal player on the Jets' unforgettable Joe Namath-led Super Bowl victory.
In that season of 1968 ...
Philbin put up a career-high of 14 sacks and became a defensive star for the Jets as they went on to win Super Bowl III in what still stands as the biggest big-game upset in NFL history.
Philbin, who also played his final season of pro football with the New York Stars in the short-lived WFL in 1974, was voted to the American Football League All-Time Team in 1970 after that league merged with the NFL.
Many Jets observers believe he belongs in Canton in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That has not happened ... but Philbin was inducted into the Jets own Ring of Honor in 2011.
In a 2018 interview, Philbin looked back on the meaning of the Jets' Super Bowl win.
"The impact was so great that finally, the AFL was on par with the NFL,'' he said. "It really meant so much to the players around the league in the AFL because we were really second-class citizens up until the time the Jets won in the Super Bowl. ...
"That's what my biggest thrill was. That and to go home and be No. 1 in New York is another good reason."