Former New York Jets defensive end Gerry Philbin, a ferocious pass rusher who played an integral role in their 1968 Super Bowl championship season, has died, his family confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday. He was 83.
Philbin was only 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, but he was a dominant defender in the 1960s, as he was twice selected to the All-AFL team. He was named to the all-time AFL team and was inducted into the Jets' Ring of Honor in 2011.
Sacks didn't become an official statistic until 1982, but Philbin unofficially recorded 64.5 sacks, fourth-most in Jets history, according to team records.