The NFL and New York Jets on Thursday are mourning the passing of a beloved star and former Super Bowl champion. Gerry Philbin has passed away at age 83.
He played for the Jets and Philadelphia Eagles, and was one of the most effective pass-rushers of his era. Philbin's career spanned the AFL-NFL merger, starting with the Jets in the 1960s and ending with the Eagles in the 1970s.
He produced 66.5 sacks over 10 seasons, with 65 coming with the Jets. His sack total still ranks fourth in franchise history.
Philbin's career highlight came in 1968 when he had 14 sacks and helped lead the Jets to the historic upset of the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. He went into the Jets Hall of Fame in 2011.
"The impact of the (Super Bowl) win was huge," he said during his induction ceremony. "The impact was so great that finally, the AFL was on par with the NFL. 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. Because prior to that there were two Super Bowls where the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders got beat pretty good by the NFL (Green Bay Packers). So, it really was the impact of the game more or less for the players in the AFL and the fans around the country in the AFL cities. That's what my biggest thrill was. That and to go home and be No. 1 in New York is another good reason."
He finished his career with the Eagles in 1973 and in 1974 for the New York Stars of the World Football League. Philbin was also voted onto the AFL's all-time team in 1970.
Philbin started a sand and gravel business in Long Island, New York after retiring. He then went into real estate, moved to New Hampshire for a time, and ultimately moved to Florida to be close to his family.