Gerry Philbin

Gerald John Philbin (born July 31, 1941) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the American Football League (NFL) 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. 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.

He 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 the third AFL-NFL World Championship Game, 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 former 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 is a member of the AFL All-Time Team.