The New York Jets have had a storied history in the National Football League (NFL). Over the years, the team has seen its fair share of highs and lows, but its die-hard fans have always been fiercely loyal.
One of the factors that have made the Jets so popular is the number of great players who have donned the green and white over the years. In this article, we will explore some of the greatest New York Jets players of all time, including their achievements, impact on the league and the franchise.
Joe Namath: Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl Hero
When it comes to the greatest New York Jets player of all time, the name Joe Namath immediately springs to mind. Namath was a trailblazer, becoming the first pro football player to earn more than $100,000 per year.
But it was his performance in Super Bowl III that secured his place in Jets lore. Namath famously guaranteed a victory over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts, and then led the Jets to a 16-7 win, earning Super Bowl MVP honors in the process.
Namath’s impact on the league and the Jets franchise cannot be overstated. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985, and his iconic image as “Broadway Joe” remains a symbol of the franchise to this day.
Kevin Mawae: Anchor of the Offensive Line
Kevin Mawae spent eight seasons with the New York Jets, from 1998 to 2005, anchoring the offensive line as one of the best centers in the league. Mawae was a reliable and consistent presence on the field, earning eight Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro nods during his tenure with the team.
In 2019, Mawae was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recognizing his dominance on a Jets offensive line that helped lead the team to four playoff appearances during his time in New York. Curtis Martin: All-Time Leading Rusher and Consistent Performer
Curtis Martin played for the Jets from 1998 to 2005, amassing over 10,000 rushing yards and 58 touchdowns during his time with the team.
Martin was a dependable and consistent performer, never missing a game due to injury during his eight-year tenure with the Jets. Martin’s impact on the franchise goes beyond his on-field performance.
In many ways, he was a model professional, showing younger players what it takes to be successful both on and off the field. In recognition of his contributions, Martin was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
Don Maynard: All-Time Receiving Leader and Key Player in Super Bowl III
Don Maynard played for the Jets from 1960 to 1972, earning his place as one of the greatest wide receivers of all time. Maynard was a key component of the Jets’ Super Bowl III-winning team, highlighted by his touchdown reception that sealed the victory over the Colts.
Maynard retired in 1973 as the NFL’s all-time leading receiver, with 633 receptions and 11,834 receiving yards, a legacy that stands to this day. Darrelle Revis: Revis Island and Shut-Down Corner
Darrelle Revis played for the Jets in two stints, from 2007 to 2012 and then again in 2015.
During his time with the team, Revis made a name for himself as one of the best corners in the league, earning the nickname “Revis Island” for his ability to shut down opposing receivers. Revis was a seven-time Pro Bowler, four-time first-team All-Pro, and helped lead the Jets to two AFC Championship games during his tenure.
His dominance as a corner is perhaps best exemplified by the fact that opposing quarterbacks often avoided throwing in his direction. Winston Hill: Offensive Tackle and Pro Football Hall of Famer
Winston Hill played for the Jets from 1963 to 1976, serving as a key member of the team’s dominant offensive line.
Hill was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020, in recognition of his contributions to the Jets’ only Super Bowl-winning team. Hill was a key blocker for running back Matt Snell in Super Bowl III, and his consistent performance during his time with the team helped pave the way for other players, such as Kevin Mawae, to find success later on.
Joe Klecko: Sack Exchange and Versatility
Joe Klecko played for the Jets from 1977 to 1987, earning a reputation as one of the most versatile defensive linemen in the league. Klecko played all four positions on the defensive line, earning Pro Bowl nods in each of them.
Klecko was part of the “Sack Exchange” defensive line that terrorized opposing quarterbacks during the 1981 season, and his all-around excellence on defense makes him one of the greatest defensive players in Jets history. Nick Mangold: Center and Anchor of the Offense
Nick Mangold spent ten seasons with the Jets, from 2006 to 2016, anchoring the offensive line as one of the best centers in the league.
Mangold was a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro, earning a reputation as a durable and consistent performer. Mangold’s impact on the Jets cannot be overstated.
He was a team captain for many years and his leadership in the locker room and on the field helped the team weather some difficult seasons. Mark Gastineau: Pass-Rusher and All-Time Leading Sack Leader
Mark Gastineau played for the Jets from 1979 to 1988, earning a reputation as one of the most fearsome pass-rushers in the league.
Gastineau’s 107.5 career sacks with the Jets still stand as the franchise record, and his aggressive style of play made him a fan favorite. Gastineau was a five-time Pro Bowler and his dominant performance during the 1981 season helped lead the Jets to their first playoff appearance in over a decade.
Gerry Philbin: Super Bowl III Defense and Pass-Rusher
Gerry Philbin played for the Jets from 1964 to 1972, serving as a key member of the team’s dominant defensive line. Philbin was part of the Super Bowl III-winning squad and his ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks was a major part of the team’s success that year.
Philbin retired with 64 career sacks, making him one of the most effective pass-rushers in Jets history.
Conclusion
The New York Jets have a long and storied history, and the players listed here represent the very best the franchise has ever had to offer. These men left indelible marks on the team and the league, inspiring and entertaining fans for generations.
As the Jets move forward into a new era of football, it’s worth remembering the incredible contributions of these great players and the legacy they have left behind. 3) Kevin Mawae: The Anchor of the Jets’ Offensive Line
When Kevin Mawae arrived in New York in 1998, he was coming off four successful seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Jets had taken notice of his impressive work as a center and were thrilled to sign him to a free-agent contract. Mawae quickly became a key player for the Jets, anchoring an offensive line that was focused on protecting quarterback Vinny Testaverde and opening up holes for running back Curtis Martin.
In his first season with the team, Mawae earned his first Pro Bowl selection and was a major factor in the Jets’ successful playoff run. For the next several years, Mawae continued to be a dominant force on the Jets offensive line, earning a reputation as one of the best centers in the league.
He was a consistent and durable performer, missing only four games in his eight seasons with the team. Mawae’s contributions to the Jets offense weren’t just limited to his on-field performance.
He was also a mentor to young players and a leader in the locker room. His work ethic and attention to detail were qualities that other players respected and looked up to.
Despite being a model of consistency for the Jets, Mawae’s time with the team came to an end in 2006, when he signed with the Tennessee Titans. But his legacy in New York was already secure.
In 2019, Mawae was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recognising his incredible contributions to the Jets and the league as a whole. He was also named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s, cementing his place among the greatest centers to ever play the game.
4) Curtis Martin: A Model of Consistency and One of the Greatest Jets of All Time
When Bill Parcells became head coach of the New York Jets in 1997, one of the first things he did was trade for running back Curtis Martin. At the time, Martin was coming off two impressive seasons with the New England Patriots, but Parcells saw something special in him and worked hard to bring him to New York.
The move paid off in a big way. Martin quickly established himself as a model of consistency, rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his first eight seasons with the Jets.
His hard-nosed running style and ability to break tackles made him a fan favourite, and his work ethic and leadership qualities endeared him to his teammates. Despite his consistent excellence, Martin’s greatest achievement came in 2004, when he became the Jets’ all-time leading rusher, surpassing Freeman McNeil’s previous record.
Martin would go on to rush for over 14,000 yards in his career, finishing fourth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list. But Martin’s impact on the Jets franchise goes beyond just his on-field performance.
He was a model professional, showing younger players what it takes to be successful both on and off the field. His leadership and work ethic helped the Jets weather some difficult seasons, and his contributions to the team did not go unnoticed.
In recognition of his incredible career, Martin was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012, cementing his place as one of the greatest Jets of all time. Martin remains the face of the franchise for many fans, representing the very best of what the Jets have to offer.
And while the team has had its ups and downs since Martin’s retirement in 2006, the memories of his incredible performance on the field and his impact on the franchise will always remain. 5) Don Maynard: A Key Player for the Jets and an NFL Legend
Don Maynard began his professional football career in 1958 with the New York Giants, but it wasn’t until he moved to the New York Titans (later known as the Jets) in 1960 that he truly began to make a name for himself.
As one of the stars of the new American Football League (AFL), Maynard quickly established himself as one of the best wide receivers in the game. Maynard’s contributions to the Jets were simply incredible.
He set numerous records during his tenure with the team, becoming the Jets’ all-time leading receiver with 627 catches for 11,732 yards. He was also a key player in the team’s historic Super Bowl III victory, catching six passes for 118 yards, including a game-winning touchdown catch that was one of the defining moments of the game.
But Maynard’s impact on the Jets’ Super Bowl win went far beyond just his statistical contributions. Jets quarterback Joe Namath called Maynard his “number one target” and often used him as a decoy to open up other options downfield.
Maynard’s speed and ability to stretch the field made him a constant threat to opposing defenses, and his presence in the lineup made a big difference for the Jets’ offense. After retiring in 1973, Maynard was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
His legacy as one of the all-time greats of the AFL and the NFL is secure, and his contributions to the Jets will never be forgotten. 6) Darrelle Revis: The Shutdown Corner and Anchor of the Jets Defense
Darrelle Revis made an immediate impact on the Jets defense from the moment he was drafted 14th overall in 2007.
His lockdown man-to-man coverage earned him the nickname “Revis Island,” as opposing wide receivers found it nearly impossible to get open against him. Revis quickly established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the league, earning four Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro nods during his first stint with the Jets.
His standout performance came in the 2010 AFC Wildcard game against Indianapolis, where he completely shut down Colts receiver Reggie Wayne, holding him to no receptions. But Revis’ impact on the Jets went beyond just his individual performance.
He was an anchor for the defense, taking on the opponent’s best receiver and allowing the other defenders to focus on their own assignments. His leadership both on and off the field helped guide the team to two AFC Championship games during his time in New York.
Revis was so good that in 2010, he became the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, signing a $46 million contract with the Jets. This was a recognition of his immense talent, and his ability to change the game on defense.
Despite leaving the Jets for stints with other teams throughout his career, Revis remained a fan favourite, and his impact on the franchise is still felt to this day. His legacy as one of the best and most dominant defensive players in Jets history is secure, and his impact on the league will be remembered for years to come.
7) Winston Hill: A Key Player in the Jets’ Super Bowl III Victory
Winston Hill was a standout offensive tackle who spent the majority of his career with the New York Jets. After being selected in the 11th round of the 1963 NFL Draft, Hill was initially assigned to the practice squad for the Baltimore Colts.
However, after failing to make the Colts’ active roster, Hill was picked up by the Jets, where he became a key factor in the team’s success. As a blind-side protector for quarterback Joe Namath, Hill was instrumental in the Jets’ surprising Super Bowl III win over the heavily favoured Baltimore Colts.
In fact, Hill played such a critical role in the game that he was the only offensive lineman on either team to play every snap of the game. Hill’s steady performance throughout the game helped to anchor the Jets’ offensive line, which gave Namath the time and protection he needed in order to make the game-changing throws that secured victory for the team.
Hill was a key member of the Jets team that reached Super Bowl III, but his contributions to the team didn’t stop there. Over the course of his career, Hill set records for consecutive games played and Pro Bowl appearances, earning a reputation as one of the most durable and consistent linemen in the league.