Classic Photos of the New York Jets

SI Staff | Mar 28, 2013

Classic Photos of the New York Jets

Sonny Werblin, Weeb Ewbank and Donald C. Lillis

John Tresilian/NY Daily News via Getty Images

<italics>Fifty years ago, on March 28, 1963, new owner Sonny Werblin announced that the New York Titans franchise of the American Football League was changing its name to the New York Jets.</italics> Sonny Werblin (left) poses with newly appointed head coach, Weeb Ewbank, and part-owner Donald C. Lillis. Ewbank, former coach of the Baltimore Colts, signed a three-year deal with the Jets.

Joe Namath and Winston Hill

Gerald Smith/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Joe Namath sits with Winston Hill during the Jets summer training at Peekskill Military Academy in Peekskill, NY.

Joe Namath

Neil Leifer/SI

Joe Namath talks to a coach upstairs from the sidelines of a game against the Broncos at Bears Stadium.

Joe Namath

AP

Joe Namath poses with a Macaw named Joe in his hospital room in New York City. Namath was recovering from right knee surgery, which was his second in his football career.

Weeb Ewbank and&lt;br&gt; Sonny Werblin

AP

Weeb Ewbank (left) signs a contract with owner Sonny Weblin, retaining him as the head coach and general manager of the Jets.

Jim Turner and Don Maynard

AP

Jim Turner (left) and Don Maynard are presented trophies during a December 1968 game.

New York Jets

Neil Leifer/SI

In Super Bowl III, Jets quarterback Joe Namath (12) stands in the end zone before a huddle before starting play against the Baltimore Colts at the Orange Bowl Stadium in Miami.

Joe Namath and Micky Mantle

AP

Jets quarterback Joe Namath (left) and former Yankees star Mickey Mantle pose at Namath's Bachelors III night spot in January 1969.

Joe Namath and Weeb Ewbank

AP Photo/Harry Harris

Joe Namath talks with Coach Weeb Ewbank at the Jets training camp in August 1970.

John Riggins

AP

John Riggins, who the Jets drafted in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft, led the team in both rushing and receiving his rookie season.

Steve Harkey

Neil Leifer/SI

Steve Harkey hurdles a fallen Houston Oilers at the Houston Astrodome.

Lou Piccone

Nate Fine/Getty Images

The Washington Redskins gang tackle Jets wide receiver Lou Piccone at Shea Stadium. The Redskins defeated the Jets 37-16.

New York Sack Exchange

Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images

Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons, Abdul Salaam and Mark Gastineau pose of the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

Marty Lyons

AP Photo/Paul Spinelli

Jets defensive end Marty Lyons gets off the field during the AFC Championship game against the Miami Dolphins in 1983. The Dolphins won 14-0.

Mark Gastineau

Richard Mackson/SI

Mark Gastineau dances after making a sack against the San Francisco 49ers in 1983.

New York Jets defense

John Iacono/SI

Patriots quarterback Tony Eason gets gang tackled by the Jets defensive line.

Ken O'Brien

Damian Strohmeyer/SI

Quarterback Ken O'Brien airs out a pass against the Patriots in 1991.

Al Toon

John Biever/SI

Jets receiver Al Toon leaps for a catch against the Bills in 1991.

Bruce Coslet and&lt;br&gt; Boomer Esiason

Bill Frakes/SI

Boomer Esiason talks with coach Bruce Coslet on the sideline during a game against the Dolphins in 1993.

Boomer Esiason

AP Photo/Pat Sullivan

Boomer Esiason is grabbed from behind by Henry Ford of the Houston Oilers for a 12-yard loss in the 1995 matchup.

Keyshawn Johnson and&lt;br&gt; Bill Parcells

AP

Bill Parcells talks to wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson during the first day of training camp in 1997 at Hofstra University.

Wayne Chrebet

Damian Strohmeyer/SI

Jets receiver Wayne Chrebet dives towards the end zone against the Colts in 1998.

Vinny Testaverde and&lt;br&gt; Kevin Mawae

David Bergman/SI

Vinny Testaverde takes the snap from center Kevin Mawae during a game against the Chiefs.

Mo Lewis and John Abraham

Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

Mo Lewis and John Abraham sack Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler.

Curtis Martin

Simon Bruty/SI

Jets running back Curtis Martin eludes a tackle against the Bills in 2004.

Chad Pennington

Damian Strohmeyer/SI

Jets quarterback Chad Pennington rolls out of the pocket during a game against the Colts.

Brett Favre

Bob Rosato/SI

Brett Favre raises his hands in celebration after throwing a touchdown in Miami during the season opener.

Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez

Al Tielemans/SI

Mark Sanchez shakes hands with head coach Rex Ryan as he stretches before a game.

Mark Sanchez and Darrell Revis

AP

Quarterback Mark Sanchez talks with Darrelle Revis during a practice at the new Meadowlands Stadium in 2010.

Rex Ryan and Woody Johnson

David Bergman/SI

Rex Ryan converses with owner Woody Johnson before a preseason game against the Washington Redskins.