The New York Jets top player, Joe Klecko, from Chester, seemed too small and too slow for pro football, writes superhuman for gangreennation.com.
He played some football at St. James High School, but never got noticed by college scouts.
He did a little boxing at Joe Frazier’s gym and even sparred with ‘Smokin Joe, then made some money playing semi-pro football with the Ashton Knights.
At 19, his strength and speed against larger players convinced Temple University’s coaches to offer him a scholarship.
Joe led in nose tackles with the Temple Owls.
He was drafted by the New York Jets in the 6th round of the 1977 draft.
Klecko led all rookies in the NFL with eight sacks and had another eight in 1978. He started every game but one between 1978 and 1981.
The All-Pro led the NFL with 20.5 sacks at the end of 1981 as a defensive end, then moved to defensive tackle, then back to nose tackle in 1985.
He was the first and only defensive lineman to be a Pro Bowl player at three different defensive line positions in NFL history.
He was a quiet leader of the Jets defense for 11 seasons.
Read more at ganggreennation.com about Joe Klecko.