New York Jets

1967 was the Jets’ first winning season (8-5-1). They won their division in 1968 (also winning Super Bowl III) and 1969, then would not finish in first place again until 1998. 

 

Four of these players (Don Maynard, Bill Mathis, Paul Rochester, Bill Baird) played in every AFL season. 

 

Mathis and Baird are the only Jets' cards I had before November 2023. The Larry Grantham card has a light green border, whereas all the others have a light blue border.

 

Joe Namath – The first overall pick in the 1965 AFL draft, Namath quarterbacked the Jets from 1965-76 (although missing most of the games in ’70, ’71, and ’73). He made the All-Star team as a rookie, and 4 times thereafter, and led the league in passing yards in ’66, ’67, and ‘72. Namath finished up with the Rams in 1977, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985. This is the only 1967 AFL card I do not have.

 

Don Maynard - After playing 1958 with the Giants and 1959 in Canada, Maynard joined the Jets in 1960 and was one of the premier receivers in the AFL, leading the league in TDs in 1965 and yards in 1967. He made 4 All-Star teams, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

 

Bill Mathis was selected by the Titans in the 1960 draft, and was the Titans’ starting fullback from 1960-62, and the Jets’ starting halfback from 1963 until midway through 1966, when he was replaced by Emerson Boozer. 

 

Matt Snell was the Jets’ 1st pick (3rd overall) in the 1964 draft and was the AFL Rookie of the Year. He was the Jets’ starting fullback from 1964-69, making 3 All-Star teams in those years. He remained with the Jets from 1970-72, backing up John Riggins.

 

George Sauer – The Jets’ 5th-round pick in 1965, Sauer was the Jets’ starting split end from 1965-70, and led the AFL with 75 receptions in 1967. He made 4 All-Star teams and was named first-team All-Pro twice. 

 

*Sam DeLuca played for the Chargers from 1960-63, then was a starting guard for the Jets from 1964-66. 

 

Winston Hill played for the Jets from 1963 to 1976, and played every game at tackle from 1964 to 1976, starting all of them except for 4 games in ’76. He was an 8-time All-Star, including every year from 1967 to 1973. Hill finished up in 1977 with the Rams. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020. 

 

Gerry Philbin was selected in the 3rd round of the 1964 draft, and started at left defensive end for the Jets from 1964-72. He was an All-Star and first-team All-Pro in ’68 and ’69. Philbin played for the Eagles in his final season (1973). 

 

Verlon Biggs – The Jets’ 3rd-round pick in 1965, Biggs was their starting right end every season from 1965-70, and the Redskins’ starting right end from 1971-74. It doesn't look like he's wearing a Jets' uniform.

 

*Jim Harris was the Jets’ starting right defensive tackle from 1965-67. 

 

Paul Rochester played in every AFL season, for the Dallas Texans from 1960-63, and the Jets from 1963-69. He was his team’s starting left defensive tackle every season from 1961-68. 

 

Ralph Baker – The Jets’ 6th-round pick in 1964, he was their starting left linebacker for his entire career (1964-74). 

 

Larry Grantham was selected by the Titans in 1he 1960 draft. After starting every game at left linebacker as a rookie, he moved to the right side, where he started almost every game for the next 12 years, until retiring after the 1972 season. He was named first-team All-Pro in his first 5 seasons, and also made 5 All-Star teams.

 

Bill Baird – An undrafted free agent, Baird was the Jets’ starting free safety every season from 1963-69, while also playing some cornerback in ’64 and ’66. 

 

 

*Unknown to me before November 2023. 

 

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