JC Penny and Van Heusen are presenting a Hall of Fame vote for NFL fans. This is sanctioned by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The results will be announced on selection weekend. Does this count? In a technical sense, no. The winner is not automatically inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Why should you vote then? Joe Klecko is on the ballot. Right now he ranks 71st in votes. We have to do better. Klecko belongs in Canton. How many players can say they have made the Pro Bowl at three different positions? Klecko did that at defensive end, defensive tackle, and nose tackle. Think of the variety of skills it takes to consistently play well at all three positions. Klecko did it. That's the mark of a dominant force. I know Mark Gastineau got more headlines for his antics, but Klecko was the best player on the New York Sack Exchange in the 1980's. It's always a sore point during the holidays with my father that Joe isn't in Canton.
Fan movements matter in Hall of Fame voting. Steelers fans pushed for Lynn Swann and John Stallworth. Giants fans did the same for Harry Carson. The biggest movement was Redskins fans pushing Art Monk. They drew voters' attention and got them to take a second look at these guys. There's no major movement for Klecko. Let's get something started here.
Former Jets Boomer Esiason and Nick Lowery are also on the ballot, but most of their credentials came with other teams. They also aren't as deserving in my book. Klecko is a Jet for life. He still cares about the organization and is a presence in Florham Park. Show Hall voters how deserving he is by clicking here and voting.