New York football has a rich history, with both the Giants and Jets boasting impressive championship titles and iconic players. However, there are some players who have made significant contributions to their respective teams but have not received the same level of recognition as some of the more well-known legends.
In this article, we will be celebrating these unsung heroes and shedding light on their invaluable contributions to New York football. While recent NFL news continues to dominate the headlines, it is important to remember the players who have shaped the game and left a lasting impact.
The Giants’ Unsung Heroes
The following players may not have been the franchise’s biggest names, but they played integral roles in the Giants’ success:
Frank Gifford
Most remember him for his broadcasting career, especially on Monday Night Football, but before that, Gifford was a star Giants player for 12 seasons. Gifford played multiple positions, including halfback, wide receiver, and defensive back, making him a versatile player. He was a five-time Pro Bowler and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977.
Gifford played a crucial role in the 1956 NFL championship game, where he carried the ball 14 times for 131 yards and caught six passes for 47 yards. He scored the game-winning touchdown, leading the Giants to a 47-7 victory over the Chicago Bears.
Al Blozis
Blozis was a giant both on and off the field. He stood at 6’6″ and weighed 250 pounds, making him an imposing figure on the defensive line. He played for the Giants from 1942-1944, but his career was cut short when he tragically died in World War II at just 26 years old.
Blozis was a two-time All-Pro known for his incredible strength. He once bench-pressed 520 pounds, a remarkable feat for any athlete at the time. His untimely death prevented him from achieving even greater success on the field, but his legacy lives on as a true giant of the game.
George Martin
Martin was a defensive end for the Giants from 1975-1988. He was a solid player for over a decade, but his true moment of heroism came off the field. In 1985, Martin organized a grueling 3,000-mile walk from New York to San Francisco to raise money for children with cancer. The walk took 10 months to complete, raising over $2 million for the cause.
Martin’s charitable work has continued long after his playing days were over. He founded the George Martin Foundation, which supports worthy causes such as 9/11 relief efforts and education programs for underprivileged youth.
The Jets’ Unsung Heroes
While most NFL fans think of Joe Namath and Aaron Rodgers in connection with the Jets, these players were also an important part of the teams’ history.
Joe Klecko
Klecko played for the Jets from 1977-1987, primarily as a defensive lineman. He was a four-time Pro Bowler, but his contributions to the team went beyond his individual accolades. Klecko was a leader on the defense, helping the Jets reach the playoffs in 1982, their first postseason appearance in 12 years.
Klecko also had a reputation for being a tough and gritty player. He once played with a broken leg and laid out Hall of Famer John Matuszak with a vicious hit that sidelined him for the remainder of the game. Klecko’s toughness and leadership were instrumental in the Jets’ success during his tenure there.
Matt Snell
Snell was a running back for the Jets from 1964-1972. He was a key player on the Jets’ Super Bowl III championship team, rushing for 121 yards and a touchdown. Despite his impressive performance, Snell often gets overlooked when people discuss the Jets’ historic upset of the Baltimore Colts.
Snell was also a two-time Pro Bowler and set numerous team records. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in a season twice, something no other Jets running back had done before.
Marty Lyons
Lyons played for the Jets from 1979-1989, primarily as a defensive tackle. He was a respected leader and known for his tenacity and hard work. Lyons was a four-time Pro Bowler and helped the Jets reach the playoffs in 1982 and 1985.
However, Lyons’ most significant contribution to the Jets came away from the field. He founded the Marty Lyons Foundation in 1982, which fulfills wishes for terminally ill children. To date, the foundation has granted over 7,000 wishes to children across the country. Lyons’ philanthropic work earned him the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 1984.