Philbin, key defensive cog on Jets' SB team, dies

Former New York Jets antiaircraft extremity Gerry Philbin, a ferocious walk rusher who played an integral relation successful their 1968 Super Bowl title season, has died, his household confirmed to ESPN connected Wednesday. He was 83.

Philbin was lone 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, but helium was a ascendant defender successful the 1960s, arsenic helium was doubly selected to the All-AFL team. He was named to the all-time AFL squad and was inducted into the Jets' Ring of Honor successful 2011.

Sacks didn't go an authoritative statistic until 1982, but Philbin unofficially recorded 64.5 sacks, fourth-most successful Jets history, according to squad records. He registered double-digit sacks successful 4 consecutive seasons, including 19 successful 1968, according to the team.

"Gerry was a calved leader," erstwhile teammate John Schmitt said successful a telephone interview. "He was 1 of 4 oregon 5 existent leaders connected our Super Bowl team. He was damn pugnacious and helium was an all-world player."

Schmitt recalled a comic incidental from the 1968 season. A week aft Joe Namath threw 5 interceptions successful a nonaccomplishment to the Buffalo Bills, Philbin delivered a not-so-subtle zinger to the prima quarterback: "Hey, Joe, we're wearing greenish this week."

"Joe conscionable astir dropped to his knees, helium was laughing truthful hard," Schmitt said. Namath has shared the anecdote galore times successful interviews implicit the years.

Philbin, who grew up successful Pawtucket, Rhode Island, starred astatine the University of Buffalo. He was the Jets' third-round prime successful the 1964 AFL draft. He besides was the Detroit Lions' third-round prime successful the NFL draft.

He opted to play successful the fledgling AFL and coiled up playing 110 games implicit 9 seasons. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles successful 1973 and wrapped up his playing vocation successful 1974 with the New York Stars of the short-lived World Football League.

Former Jets manager and existent ESPN expert Rex Ryan, whose father, Buddy, was an adjunct manager connected the Jets' Super Bowl team, considered Philbin 1 of his favourite players. He kept a photograph of Philbin successful his bureau astatine the Jets' facility.