Jerry Philbin, a former defensive star for the Jets, has died at the age of 83, as announced by the team on Wednesday.
Philbin, who hailed from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was the Jets’ third-round selection in the 1964 AFL draft after playing at the University of Buffalo.
He was also chosen in the NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions in the same round. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 245 pounds, Philbin was part of the 1969 Super Bowl-winning team, which secured victory over the Baltimore Colts with a score of 16-7.
In 2011, he was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor, boasting two Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro nod during his career. He was also recognized as one of the best in the AFL’s history.
Reflecting on his time, former Jets center John Schmidt recalled a playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs after the 1969 season. “You’ve never seen anything like that wild,” he noted, emphasizing Philbin’s toughness and impact on the field.
Rex Ryan, a former head coach, shared his thoughts on Philbin’s legacy, stating, “When it comes to talking about the relentless motor and its jet mentality, it was Jerry Philbin.” Ryan regards him as one of the top three Jets players of all time.
Ryan, who was connected to the famous 1968 team, mentioned that his father, Buddy Ryan, coached the Jets’ defensive line during the Super Bowl season.
Although official stats for sacks weren’t recorded until 1982, Philbin is credited with an unofficial total of 64.5 sacks, and he and Johnn Biggs remain the only players in Jets history to record over 10 sacks across four consecutive seasons.
Philbin participated in 110 games, starting 106, and dedicated over nine years to the Jets. He concluded his playing career with the New York Stars in 1974 in the short-lived World Football League.
