Joe Klecko

Joseph Edward Klecko (born October 15, 1953 in Chester, Pennsylvania) is a former American footballer who played on the defensive line for the New York Jets from 1977 to 1987, and the Indianapolis Colts in 1988. Endowed with great natural strength, quick feet and an enormous desire to win, he anchored the Jets formidable defensive line known as the "New York Sack Exchange", along with Marty Lyons, Abdul Salaam and Mark Gastineau at left end. The four combined for 53.5 sacks in 1981, and Klecko is second to Gastineau on the Jets all-time leading sack leaders (as of the 2005-2006 season).

While at Temple University, Klecko also played semi-pro football for the Aston (Pa.) Knights and kept his eligibility by playing under an assumed name (Jim Jones) and a fake university (Poland University). He also won two NCAA club boxing titles in the heavyweight division. Klecko played high school football at St. James Catholic High School for Boys in Chester, Pa.

On December 26, 2004, during a halftime ceremony, the Jets honored Klecko by retiring his #73 jersey. Klecko became just the third New York Jet to have his number retired, joining Hall of Fame QB Joe Namath and Hall of Fame WR Don Maynard. He was the first player in professional football history to be selected to the Pro Bowl at three different positions (DE, DT and NT).

Hall of Fame center Dwight Stephenson, a player with the Dolphins who faced the Jets twice each season for many years, considered Klecko and Hall of Famer Howie Long his two most difficult opponents. If it were not for an injury-shortened career, Klecko might already have been selected for the Hall and has appeared as a finalist in recent ballots.

Klecko is the all-time favorite player of ESPN's Mike Greenberg, of Mike & Mike in the Morning. On the Feb. 2, 2007 Mike & Mike show, Hall-of-Fame offensive lineman Anthony Muñoz said that Klecko was the strongest defensive lineman he had ever faced.

Klecko had a small role in the 1981 Burt Reynolds film Cannonball Run, as well as Reynolds's Smokey and the Bandit II.

His son, Dan, plays for the Indianapolis Colts.