Joe Klecko

Joseph Edward Klecko was born on October 15, 1953, in Chester, Pennsylvania. He played high school football at St. James Catholic High School for Boys under coach Joe Logue but received no college scholarship offers, instead working for a trucking company. He kept his eligibility by playing semi-pro football for the Aston Knights under the assumed name "Jim Jones" from the fictional "Poland University." Temple’s equipment manager spotted him and recommended him to coach Wayne Hardin, who offered a scholarship after watching just one quarter.

At Temple, Klecko led the Owls in tackles for three straight seasons (1974–1976), earned All-East honors twice, and received All-American mention as a junior and senior. He was ECAC Rookie of the Week on October 27, 1973, after a 31–8 win over Delaware, recording five sacks and 15 tackles. He also won two club boxing titles in the heavyweight division while at Temple. He was inducted into the Temple University Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.

The New York Jets selected Klecko in the sixth round (144th overall) of the 1977 NFL draft. His rookie season saw eight sacks but a 3–11 record. When Abdul Salaam, Mark Gastineau, and Marty Lyons joined him on the defensive line, they formed the "New York Sack Exchange." In 1981, the four combined for 66 sacks—Klecko led the league with 20.5—and the Jets reached their first playoff game since 1969. That year, Klecko earned his first All-Pro selection. The nickname originated in November 1981 when the four linemen rang the ceremonial opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

In 1982, Klecko played only two regular-season games before rupturing the patella tendon in his right knee against the New England Patriots. The Jets made the playoffs that year, losing the AFC Championship to the Miami Dolphins; Klecko appeared in both playoff wins over the Bengals and Raiders. He moved from defensive end to defensive tackle in 1983 and earned Pro Bowl nods at that position in 1983 and 1984. When the Jets switched to a 3–4 defense in 1985, Klecko learned nose tackle, leading the team with 96 tackles and five forced fumbles while tying for second with 7.5 sacks.

He earned his second All-Pro selection and became the second player in NFL history—after Frank Gifford—to be selected to the Pro Bowl at three different positions. After knee surgery in the 1986–87 offseason, he was limited to seven games in 1987 and was released. He played one final season with the Indianapolis Colts in 1988, who went 9–7, including a 34–16 loss to the Jets. Chronic knee problems forced his retirement.

Hall of Fame center Dwight Stephenson called Klecko a "great defensive lineman" and one of the two best interior linemen he faced. Hall of Fame tackle Anthony Muñoz said, "In my 13 seasons, Joe is right there at the top of the defensive ends I had to block... Joe was the strongest guy I ever faced. He had perfect technique." Hall of Fame guard Joe DeLamielleure added, "I had to block Joe Greene and Merlin Olsen... Joe Klecko was equal to those two guys. If Joe Klecko had played one position for ten years, he'd have been considered one of the top two or three players at that position... There's not another player who went to the Pro Bowl at three different positions."

On December 26, 2004, the Jets retired Klecko’s No. 73 jersey during a halftime ceremony, making him only the third Jet so honored, after Joe Namath and Don Maynard. On August 16, 2010, he was inducted into the Jets’ inaugural class of their Ring of Honor. Klecko was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023.