Gerry Philbin

Interceptions	1
INT yards	18
Fumble recoveries	7
Games played	123
Games started	37
	Stats at Pro Football Reference

Gerry Philbin
No. 81
Position	Defensive end
Personal information
Born	July 31, 1941; Pawtucket, Rhode Island, U.S.
Died	June 25, 2025 (aged 83); Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, U.S.
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight	245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school	Tolman (Pawtucket)
College	Buffalo
NFL draft	1964: 3rd round, 33rd overall pick
AFL draft	1964: 3rd round, 19th overall pick
Career history
	New York Jets (1964–1972); Philadelphia Eagles (1973); New York Stars (1974);
Awards and highlights
	Super Bowl champion (III); AFL champion (1968); 2× First-team All-AFL (1968, 1969); 2× AFL All-Star (1968, 1969); AFL sacks leader (1968); All-time All-AFL Team; New York Jets Ring of Honor; First-team All-WFL (1974); First-team All-East (1963);
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions
Interceptions	1
INT yards	18
Fumble recoveries	7
Games played	123
Games started	37
	Stats at Pro Football Reference

Gerald John Philbin (July 31, 1941 – June 25, 2025) was an American professional football player who played defensive end in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). He was a four-year starter playing college football for the Buffalo Bulls, earning several honors including second-team All-American, Little All-American, and All-American Academic team.^[1]^{[failed verification]} Drafted by both the Detroit Lions of the NFL and the New York Jets of the AFL in the third round of their respective 1964 drafts, he joined the Jets and became an immediate starter and perennial All-AFL selection at defensive end. He played stellar defense for them for nine seasons.

Philbin was selected as an AFL All-Star in 1968 and 1969. A ferocious pass-rusher, Philbin recorded 14+1⁄2 sacks of opposing quarterbacks in 1968, helping the Jets win the AFL championship. In Super Bowl III, Philbin anchored the Jets defense in limiting the Colts to seven points.

In 1973, he joined the Philadelphia Eagles for one season and finished his career in the short-lived World Football League as a member of the New York Stars in 1974 where he joined Super Bowl III alumni George Sauer, Jr, Randy Beverly, John Dockery, John Elliott, and Vito (Babe) Parilli. He was an All-WFL selection in 1974. Philbin was a member of the AFL All-Time Team.

Philbin died from dementia in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on June 25, 2025, at the age of 83.^[2]^[3]

References

^ "Buffalo President Clifford C. Furnas congratulating Gerry Philbin for his athletic accomplishments in achieving All-East Team for the fifth time," Clifford C. Furnas Collection - University at Buffalo Libraries Digital Collections.
^ Sandomir, Richard (June 28, 2025). "Gerry Philbin, Star Defensive End for the Jets, Dies at 83". The New York Times. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
^ "Philbin, key defensive cog on Jets' SB team, dies". ESPN.com. June 25, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025.

External links

Gerry Philbin at IMDb

[1] "Buffalo President Clifford C. Furnas congratulating Gerry Philbin for his athletic accomplishments in achieving All-East Team for the fifth time," Clifford C. Furnas Collection - University at Buffalo Libraries Digital Collections.

[2] Sandomir, Richard (June 28, 2025). "Gerry Philbin, Star Defensive End for the Jets, Dies at 83". The New York Times. Retrieved June 30, 2025.

[3] "Philbin, key defensive cog on Jets' SB team, dies". ESPN.com. June 25, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025.

[1]

[2]

[3]

v t e New York Jets Super Bowl III champions
11 Jim Turner 12 Joe Namath (MVP) 13 Don Maynard 15 Babe Parilli 22 Jim Hudson 23 Bill Rademacher 24 Johnny Sample 26 Jim Richards 29 Bake Turner 30 Mark Smolinski 31 Bill Mathis 32 Emerson Boozer 33 Curley Johnson 34 Lee White 35 Billy Joe 41 Matt Snell 42 Randy Beverly 43 John Dockery 45 Earl Christy 46 Bill Baird 47 Mike D'Amato 48 Cornell Gordon 50 Carl McAdams 51 Ralph Baker 52 John Schmitt 56 Paul Crane 60 Larry Grantham 61 Bob Talamini 62 Al Atkinson 63 John Neidert 66 Randy Rasmussen 67 Dave Herman 68 Michael Stromberg 70 Karl Henke 71 Sam Walton 72 Paul Rochester 74 Jeff Richardson 75 Winston Hill 80 John Elliott 81 Gerry Philbin 83 George Sauer 85 Steve Thompson 86 Verlon Biggs 87 Pete Lammons
Head coach: Weeb Ewbank
Coaches: Walt Michaels Clive Rush Buddy Ryan Joe Spencer

v t e AFL annual sacks leaders
1960: Branch & Morris 1961: Husmann & Nery 1962: Husmann 1963: Eisenhauer 1964: Sestak 1965: Eisenhauer 1966: Biggs 1967: Lassiter 1968: Philbin 1969: DeLong
Stats retroactively counted - American Football League merged with National Football League after 1969

See also

References

External links