Catching up with Jets' Legend Joe Klecko during Enshrinement Week

Going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2023

Joe Klecko's phone was blowing up during Super Bowl Week and it had nothing to do with either of the teams playing in the championship game.

It happened within minutes after the announcement of the newly-selected Pro Football Hall of Fame Class that features Klecko and fellow New York Jets legend Darrelle Revis.

"It's so funny. The night of the Super Bowl when they announced us on the thing. By the time we got off stage in the back room, we were doing interviews and all, I had 114 calls right there. But, you know texts. By the time I got back to the hotel, we were sitting around and there was more," said Klecko.

The legendary defensive lineman was so overwhelmed, he called it a night.

"I just shut my phone off and I went to bed," said the man who made the Pro Bowl at three different positions. "[When] I woke up, there was 200 texts on my phone. I'm saying to myself, 'I don't know this many people.'"

With a man of Klecko's humility and congeniality, it's somewhat of a surprise that there weren't 2,000 text messages flooding his inbox after the Class of 2023 was unveiled.

Klecko has never rested on his laurels though. The 1981 NFL sacks leader is retired only in the sense that he's no longer playing football.

The former foundational piece on the Jets' defense now builds actual foundations through his construction company.

"I've been in the construction business and representation business for about 30 years now. I have a lot of great friends [from it]," said Klecko.

Residing in Monmouth County, NJ, the soon-to-be 70-year-old all-time Jet lives in a house that his company constructed.

"I've built things. I built my own home and everything like that," said Klecko about his post-playing career. "I built a big building for a good friend of mine who owns Trinity Solar."

As accomplished as his post-NFL life has been, Klecko is still most proud of his days with Gang Green's New York Sack Exchange. 

"Playing football. Playing for the New York Jets — that has been the greatest thing I've ever done," said Klecko. "How many kids out there in sandlots and college get their dreams broken and don't ever get to accomplish that."

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LISTEN Full Jets Country Conversation with Joe Klecko

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He still vividly remembers the first time he suited up as a professional football player. 

"My greatest moment in football was when I strapped the shoes on for the first time in the locker room for the New York Jets. I think it was great," said Klecko.

The Temple University product, who went on to achieve All-Pro First Team status twice, became the second man in NFL history to earn Pro Bowl selections at three different positions and the only one to ever do it along the defensive line. 

Now, he gets to relive the memories in Canton with his family.

"The greatest part about it, honestly — it's how the kids have reacted," said Klecko. "I have three children that my wife and I had after I retired. They've never really seen me play. Now, they see what's going on about this. It's an exciting time."

Klecko may have had to wait longer than expected for the "call to the Hall," but this week, he becomes a football immortal and his children are here to see it happen.

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