The New York Jets have been a franchise plagued by mediocrity for almost half a decade. Since their glory days of the late 1960’s ending in a victory of Super Bowl III, the Jets have only reached the postseason 12 times. Despite this, the Jets have had their fair share of star players and Hall of Famers in their history. Here are the 10 greatest New York Jets in their franchise history.
Top New York Jets of All-Time
10. Wesley Walker– Walker was a two-time Pro Bowler and member of the 1978 All-Pro Team. Racking up 71 career touchdowns and 8,306 career yards, Walker is second all-time in both of those categories for Jets receivers. Walker was inducted into the Jets Ring of Honor in 2012.
9. Mark Gastineau– Gastineau is the Jets all-time leader in sacks and held the NFL single-season sack record with 22 sacks until Michael Strahan recorded 22.5 in 2001. Gastineau boasts a resume including 74 sacks, five Pro Bowl trips and three All-Pro team appearances. He was inducted into the Jets Ring of Honor in 2012. Gastineau is one of two members of the New York Sack Exchange on this list.
8. Larry Grantham– Grantham was a five-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro. He was named as a second-team linebacker on the All-AFL team. Grantham was a member of the Super Bowl III winning Jets defense and wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Grantham was named to the Jets Ring of Honor in 2011.
7. Freeman McNeil– McNeil is the Jets second all-time leading rusher and was inducted into the Jets Ring of Honor in 2011. Racking up 8,074 career rushing yards and three trips to the Pro Bowl as well as three All-Pro honors, McNeil was one of the greatest Jets offensive weapons of all-time.
6. Winston Hill– Hill was a punishing force on the Jets offensive line during their run to the Super Bowl in 1969. A four-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl member, Hill was added to the Jets Ring of Honor in 2010 as part of the inaugural class. Hill was also honored as a member of the All-Time AFL second-team.
5. Joe Klecko– The second member of the Sack Exchange on this list, Klecko was a force to be reckoned with. Klecko is the first member of the list to have had his number retired, as #73 will never again be worn by another Jet. Klecko has four Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams under his belt, as well as the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 1981. Klecko was also a member of the 2010 inaugural Jets Ring of Honor class.
4. Don Maynard– Maynard is still the Jets all-time leading receiver, racking up 627 receptions and 11,732 yards during his magnificent career. Maynard was also an inaugural member of the Jets Ring of Honor in 2010. Maynard’s accomplishments earned him spots on two First-Team All-AFL squads as well as a place on the First-Team All-Time AFL lineup. Maynard was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987 and had his number 13 retired by the Jets organization.
3. Darrelle Revis– The only active player on the list, Revis has been named to seven Pro Bowls and five First-Team All-Pro lineups. One of the greatest cornerbacks ever, Revis won a ring with the New England Patriots in 2014. Revis has a career total of 28 interceptions and boasts the AFC Defensive Player of the Year honor for 2009. Revis should be able to add enshrinement to the Pro Football Hall of Fame to his resume in the near future.
2. Curtis Martin– The Jets all-time leading rusher has more than earned his spot as number two on the list. Martin is the Jets all-time leading rusher by more than 2,000 yards, racking up an impressive career total of 10,302. Martin was the youngest member of the 2010 inaugural Jets Ring of Honor class and has his number 28 retired by the team. Martin won the NFL rushing title in 2004 and was named to two First-Team All-Pro lineups as well as two Second-Team All-Pro lineups in his career. Martin also boasts five Pro Bowl honors and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
1. Joe Namath– Is there any player that better exemplifies New York? “Broadway” Joe Namath is undeniably the greatest New York Jet of all-time, leading his team to a Super Bowl title in 1969. Namath won the Super Bowl MVP in the game to go along with his AFL MVP awards in 1968 and 1969. Namath is on the AFL All-Time team and boasts four AFL All-Star awards. Namath was a member of the 2010 inaugural Ring of Honor class and has his number 12 retired by the organization. Namath was the first professional quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards and is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame by way of the class of 1985.
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