BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Gerry Philbin, one of the most distinguished players in University at Buffalo's football history who went on to become a defensive leader for the Super Bowl champion New York Jets, has died at age 83.
Philbin came to UB from Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1960 and was a four-year starter at defensive end. He attained Little All-America and second-team AP All-America accolades with the Bulls despite being undersized for his position at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds in his collegiate days. Philbin was inducted into UB's Athletics Hall of Fame in 1970.
Selected by the Jets with the 19th pick in the 1964 AFL Draft, Philbin also was drafted 33rd by the NFL's Detroit Lions. He started 109 games for New York in nine seasons, compiling an unofficial tally of 64.5 sacks before the stat was formally tracked, and twice earned AFL All-Star honors. Helping the Jets win Super Bowl III in 1969, which quarterback Joe Namath famously guaranteed, Philbin was later inducted into the team's Ring of Honor.
Coached by Buddy Ryan during his UB career, Philbin was memorialized by former Bills and Jets coach Rex Ryan: "When you talk about a relentless motor and that Jet mentality, that was Gerry Philbin," he said previously.
Philbin's death was disclosed by the Jets on Wednesday.
"Very sad news," UB coach Pete Lembo wrote on social media. "Definitely one of the greatest players to ever represent @UBFootball on the gridiron. We are proud to represent Gerry and all the men who helped to build the program."
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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.
