The Pro Football Hall of Fame revealed their three senior finalists for induction into the Hall for the Class of 2023. And a member of the New York Sack Exchange is on the list.
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Chuck Howley, Joe Klecko and Ken Riley have moved to the final step in the selection process for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.
More Info: https://t.co/a4rWvVoKWH pic.twitter.com/UcikthkVul
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) August 17, 2022
Former Jets defensive lineman Joe Klecko is officially on the ballot come January. Klecko played 11 seasons (1977-1987) for the Jets. Here are just a few of his accomplishments in his career:
- 1981 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
- Two-time First-Team All-Pro selection (1981, 1985)
- One-time Second-Team All-Pro selection (1983)
- Four-time Pro Bowl selection (1981, 1983, 1984, 1985)
- NFL sack leader in 1981
- Member of Jets Ring of Honor, No. 73 retired by team
Klecko now needs to get 80 percent of the votes when the committee meets in January to decide who will join the Class of 2023. But by all accounts, Klecko is a near lock to be inducted next August in Canton, Ohio.
Klecko spoke to ESPN about his upcoming shot at the Hall and said it’s a tremendous honor and a “pretty cool phone call”.
Joe Klecko to ESPN: "A tremendous honor. I didn't want to raise my expectations because of the past. I was hoping for the best, expecting the worst. When I got the call, I got emotional about it. My wife, she's usually reserved, but she was in the background, screaming." #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 17, 2022
Klecko, cont: "It was a pretty cool phone call. It was quite a jubilant time for the Klecko family. I understand that Darrelle Revis is on the ballot for the first time (as a modern-era candidate). I hope he makes it. The whole place (Canton) would have a New York feel." #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 17, 2022
Also among the senior finalists are longtime Bears and Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley, who was MVP of Super Bowl V, the first MVP from the losing Super Bowl team, and former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Ken Riley.