New York Jets Football History - Early Years
Harry Wismer was granted a franchise during the American Football League's organization meeting on August 14, 1959. The new club was called the New York Titans and would play all its home games in the Polo Grounds. Sammy Baugh, the Hall of Fame quarterback, was hired as head coach. Wide Receiver Don Maynard from the Canadian Football Conference was the first player to ink a contract with the new team.
The Titians drew only 9,607 fans to their first home game, and finished at 7-7 in each of the first two years. In 1962, with new coach, Clyde 'Bulldog' Turner at the helm, the club fell to 5-9 and drew only 36,161 fans in its seven home games. Wismer, who lost over $2 million in the first two seasons, could not meet his payroll, and the league took over the team's operation for the remainder of the season.
In 1963, a syndicate headed by David 'Sonny' Werblin bought the franchise for one million dollars. The team's name was changed to the Jets and Weeb Ewbank was named its head coach.
The colors, which had been blue and gold, were changed to green and white. The next season, the Jets moved into new Shea Stadium and set an AFL attendance record when 45,665 fans saw them beat Denver 30-6 in the season's opener.
In 1965, the Jets signed the University of Alabama's All-American Quarterback, Joe Namath. The Jets did not have a winning season until 1967, when it ended in second place in the AFL East with a 8-5-1 record.
In 1968, the Jets started strong and finished with a 11-3 record and captured the AFL championship with a 27-23 win over the Oakland Raiders. Joe Namath led the Jets to a stunning upset 16-7 victory over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.
In the American Football League's last season in 1969, the Jets again won the AFL East championship but were defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs 13-6 in a first round playoff game. After the league's final season, four Jets were named to the AFL all-time team, Ewbank, Maynard, Namath and defensive end, Gerry Philbin. Footballhistorian.com - Pro Football History
A model of endurance, Larry Grantham was one of football's leading linebackers for 13 seasons, 175 games, all with the New York Jets, 1960-72. A resounding stalwart on defense, the muscular 6-ft, 204lbs, was selected AFC All-Pro in each of his first five years with the Titans/Jets, 1960-1964.
He became an instant success in his rookie season (1960) when he intercepted five passes and with his brilliant all-around play at linebacker. Grantham had 24 lifetime interceptions, 308 yards, one TD.
On-Field Warriors - 1930s Linemen |
| A few things stick in your mind when searching through old magazines, newspapers and professional history books, first of which is some players simply enjoy the contact involved in the game.
Another item is the wages paid during this era. It was not unusual for owners to pay between $100 to $250 per game.
And, most of the leading linemen during this time-period combined great stamina, with superior athletic ability to go with resounding mental alertness.
Keep in mind during this era, players played both offense and defense, including punting and kickoffs.
Here's Our List:
* Cal Hubbard, Tackle/Linebacker New York Giants and Green Bay Packers - a member of the Football Hall of Fame, he was a fierce team leader all through his 10-year career. Played on four championship teams - 1927 New York Giants and 1929, 1930, 1931 Green Bay Packers... well-regarded for his uncanny knack of filling holes other linemen could not have reached and although standing 6-foot, 5-inches and weighing 250-pounds Hubbard was one of the fastest linemen in the NFL... signed after a stellar college career and was paid $150 per/game by New York.
* George Christensen, Tackle/Guard Portsmouth and Detroit Lions - nicknamed 'Tarzan' for his strength and leaping ability, he was selected an All-Pro for six straight seasons - 1931-1936. It was just about impossible for opposing linemen to cover him one-on-one. An extremely durable line-star, Christensen, at 6-ft, 2-inches, 238-pounds, used his strength to handle power fullbacks and was fast enough to catch swift moving halfbacks... and, he certainly deserves serious consideration for becoming a member of the Hall of Fame.
* Nate Barrager, Center/Linebacker Green Bay Packers - a star at the University of Southern Cal, he was a rugged center on offensive and a hard-tackling linebacker on defensive... a five time All-Pro selection - 1930-32, 1934-35, although he played just five seasons, the muscular Barrager ranks with the best in football history. Attended San Fernando High School.
* Mike Basrak, Center Pittsburgh Pirates/Steelers - a first-round draft pick in 1937 out of Duquesne University, he was an instant success in the NFL... as a rookie in 1937 he set a higher bar for owner Art Rooney's Pittsburgh linemen. An aggressive athlete, the 6-ft, 2-inch, 220-pound Basrak was an All-Pro selection in 1937-1938 - the only two seasons he played before leaving the pro ranks.
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