Gerry Philbin, protective end who assisted Namath’s New York Jets

NEW YORK CITY (AP)– Gerry Philbin, a protective end who helped the New York Jets shock the Baltimore Colts in the Super Bowl after the 1968 season, has actually died, the team revealed Friday. He was 83.

The cause of death was dementia, Philbin’s household informed ESPN.Advertisement Philbin invested 9 seasons with the Jets and was a two-time All-AFL selection.In the 3rd Super Bowl on Jan. 12, 1969, the Jets and quarterback Joe Namath brought authenticity to the AFL and turned the game into a must-watch event when they beat the NFL champion Baltimore Colts 16-7. Philbin led a defense that required five turnovers and held the Colts to their lowest point total of the season. The NFL and AFL merged in 1970. A local of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Philbin was a three-year starter at the University of Buffalo and was chosen by the Detroit Lions in the 3rd round of the 1964 NFL draft. He chose to play for the AFL’s Jets rather and played 110 games over nine seasons for New York from 1964-72. Although sacks did not end up being a main statistic until 1982, the Jets credit Philbin with 64 1/2 sacks, the fourth most in franchise history. He became part of the Jets’Ring of Honor in 2011. Philbin played his last season for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1973.

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