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New York Jets: Ranking the top 5 players in franchise history

By Michael Pallas

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 27: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets reacts in the third quarter against the New England Patriots during their game at MetLife Stadium on December 27, 2015 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 27: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets reacts in the third quarter against the New England Patriots during their game at MetLife Stadium on December 27, 2015 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – FEBRUARY 07: Super Bowl III MVP Joe Namath looks on during Super Bowl 50 between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers at Levi’s Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – FEBRUARY 07: Super Bowl III MVP Joe Namath looks on during Super Bowl 50 between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers at Levi’s Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

4. Joe Namath

Is there anyone as synonymous with his franchise in the NFL as Namath is to the Jets? It’s hard to think of someone.

Namath isn’t only a Pro Football Hall of Famer, and the greatest quarterback that has ever played for the Jets, but he’s one of the most important figures in NFL history. Without the bravado of Namath, and then the Jets backing up his prophetic words, we might not have the NFL as it exists today.

Even though interceptions weren’t as big a deal in his day as they are today, they do knock him down a peg or two. So, that’s why he’s fourth on this list. However, the Super Bowl win, and the subsequent merger, are big in the history of this game. So, he moves up the list.

In the end, his cockiness and attitude is what propelled the Jets to the best time in the history of the franchise and the team’s only Super Bowl appearance and victory. For that, and the influence on the NFL, he has to be in the top-five. He is the biggest icon in franchise history no doubt, but the rest of the list were better overall football players.

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