Looking back at the career of New York Jets legend Larry Grantham.
(Information compiled from ESPN, Pro Football Talk, and NewYorkJets.com.)
On June 18, the New York Jets lost one of their own, a legend. Some argue that he was the best linebacker to every play for the franchise. He was an original member of the team and helped the Jets to their upset win over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. Larry Grantham passed away at 78 years old.
Like Don Maynard on the other side of the line, Grantham suffered through a lot of lean years. Grantham was an original member of the franchise, starting with the New York Titans in 1960. He was actually drafted by the Baltimore Colts, but decided to go to the AFL instead where he was selected by the Titans in the original draft.
In looking back at players, one of the first things we talk about is durability. Was the player on the field to do his job? Well, Grantham was. In 13 seasons with the Titans/Jets, he played in 175 games, missing only seven. In the game of football, that is the definition of durability. Especially, when you think about back then, when they didn’t have the information about injuries that they do now. To be on the field that often is remarkable.
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He also had the respect of his teammates. Here is what Gerry Philbin had to say about him (per team website):
"“I always saw Larry as the captain and the leader,” said Gerry Philbin, the Jets’ left end on many of Grantham’s defenses and a fellow member of the Ring’s Class of ’11. “His football knowledge, the way he skirted around blockers and made tackles, he just surprised a lot of people. Pound for pound, he was the best player on the Jets.”"
Grantham was best known for his ability to take the football away. In his rookie season he posted eight individual takeaways (five interceptions and three fumble recoveries), on his way to 43 for his career, still a team record.
The linebacker posted three tackles and two passes defended in the win over the Colts in Super Bowl III. He also called the plays during that game for his defense. His prowess was equal in both leagues, as he was a five-time AFL All-Star and a five-time All-Pro NFL selection. No matter who his opponents were over the year, Larry Grantham got the job done. He did it consistently, professionally, and to his highest level every time out.
As his numbers never rose to being Hall of Fame worthy, Grantham’s biggest culmination honor came when he was inducted into the Jets Ring of Honor back in 2011. That was the second class, and it included Gerry Philbin, Freeman McNeil and Al Toon. He valued the honor as much as being put into the Hall of Fame, since he was being enshrined in the ring among Jets greats from the past.
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Personally, I have found it hard to find a Jets fan that was around during this era that doesn’t bring up Larry Grantham when you talk about the team. It just shows how much he stood out to Jets fans from that time period.
He was a fan favorite and will be remembered for a long time after he is gone.