Joe Klecko will have honorary degrees conferred by Caldwell College

CALDWELL – Graduation Weekend at Caldwell College will culminate with the commencement speech by former New York Jets player Joe Klecko at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 18, at the Newman Center on the College Campus.

Caldwell College President Sister Patrice Werner, Order of Preachers (O.P.), will present honorary degrees to Klecko and Thomas Ferguson, former chairman and chief executive officer of CommonHealth USA, a leading healthcare communications firm.

Klecko is one of the most popular Jets of all time. He was selected by the team in the sixth round of the 1977 National Football League (NFL) draft and led the league’s rookies that season with eight sacks.

He was the first member of what would become one of the most feared defensive front fours in the history of the NFL, the “New York Sack Exchange.”

He was the first NFL player to be named to the Pro Bowl at three different positions and he was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

On Dec. 26, 2005, the Jets honored Klecko by retiring his jersey, No. 73. He became only the third Jet to have his number retired, joining Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath and Hall of Fame wide receiver Don Maynard.

Today, Klecko is a member of Catholic Athletes for Christ, an organization with a mission to serve Catholic athletes and share the Gospel of Christ in and through athletics. He speaks at events and rallies about manhood and faith in today’s culture.

Klecko’s son, Dan, is an All American football fullback and defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles.