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Klecko and Revis Are Officially Football Immortals

Originally posted on FanNation Jets Country
By Ralph Ventre | Last updated 8/5/23

It became officially official on a sunny summer afternoon in Canton, OH.

Donning their Gold Jackets as their bronze busts were unveiled, New York Jets' legends Joe Klecko and Darrelle Revis experienced enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Klecko was presented by his former Jets' teammate, and current team radio analyst, Marty Lyons. Diana Askew, Revis's mother, was on hand to present her son.

"Joe set the standard for all the defensive linemen that will wear the New York Jets uniform," said Lyons "Being enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I think, means the world to Joe. It even means more for his teammates. We knew that Joe deserved this many years ago."

Klecko, who retired in 1988, became HOF eligible in 1993. It wasn't until 2023, with his 70th birthday on the horizon, that the New York Sack Exchange member finally received the call to the Hall.

"Thirty years, I've been waiting to give this speech," said Klecko. "I thank all the Hall of Famers who spoke up on my behalf during the voting process. Without your input, I wouldn't be here today."

Klecko's journey to Canton began at St. James High School in Chester, PA. With no college scholarship offers, Klecko went on to work for a trucking company. He eventually landed with a semi-pro team where he was seen by Temple University's equipment manager.

After great success at Temple, Klecko was drafted by the Jets in 1977.

"We never made it to the Big Game, but the friendships I made are more valuable than a championship ring," said Klecko during his 10-minute enshrinement speech.

READ Catching up with Joe Klecko during Enshrinement Week

While Klecko waited three full decades for the call, Revis was selected for enshrinement on the first ballot. The man who proceeded to establish the iconic "Revis Island" was the No. 14 overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft.

All along, Askew's encouragement has been a driving force for Revis on his journey to football immortality.

"I'll do what I need to do to help him follow his dream," said Askew while presenting her son for the highest honor a pro football player can achieve. "When he got to the Jets, I was so amazed at his play and who he was out there on that field. I knew what I put in him, but I didn't know it was gonna come out like that."

During his speech, Revis referred to Askew as "my first coach."

"Thank you for always knowing what path I needed to take to make it here," said Revis to his mother.

Canton wasn't always a destination in Revis's childhood dreams.

"Basketball was my first love, so it's kind of surreal that I'm here today being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame," said Revis during his address from the podium.

The history of his hometown, however, suggests otherwise. Revis hails from the same place as three well-known Pro Football Hall of Fame members.

"I'm from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania," said Revis proudly shouting out his hometown. "For those of who never heard of Aliquippa, all you need to know are their three names — Mike Ditka, Tony Dorsett and Ty Law. My hometown produces legends."

In addition to Askew, Revis's uncles Mark and Sean Gilbert were a source of inspiration for the kid from Aliquippa.

Mark, a former Duquesne University basketball player, used to bring an elementary school-aged Revis along on visits to the Pittsburgh-based college campus.

Revis recalled one particular day when he learned about "manifestation and visualization" during a drive to campus with Mark.

"We were driving through a neighborhood, a nice neighborhood, and we stopped at the end of a long driveway. I could see a huge house at the end. My uncle asked me 'Would you like to live in a house like that someday?'" said Revis.

Driven by the desire to live in a house like he saw that day, Revis began to set goals for himself.

"Goal setting became the core of my preparation and my work ethic," said Revis.

Like Revis would be one day, Sean was a first-round NFL Draft pick out of Pitt in 1992.

"If I got my hoop game from my Uncle [Mark], then you know I got the love of my football game from my Uncle Sean," said Revis explaining how his Hall of Fame story started.

Now, his story, along with Klecko's, will live forever within the Halls of Canton.