As we approach the season, we are going to count down the history of Jets jersey numbers along with some of the notable players to wear each number. Today we will look at number 93.
With all due respect to rotational defensive linemen like Ernie Logan, Kenyon Coleman, Kenrick Ellis, James Reed, Marques Douglas, and Trevor Pryce, one man who wore number 93 stands above all others for the Jets. That man is Marty Lyons.
Lyons was a supporting player on the New York Sack Exchange. A first round pick out of Alabama in 1979, Lyons was on the field for Alabama's legendary goal line stand against Penn State in the 1979 Sugar Bowl. The year the nickname was coined Joe Klecko, Mark Gastineau, Abdul Salaam, and Lyons combined for 53.5 sacks. Despite eight operations in his playing career, Lyons had a long and productive eleven year career in the NFL, playing with the Jets for all of it. He led the team in sacks in 1988. During the Jets' postseason run in 1982, Lyons registered a sack in all three games. He also posted three sacks in two games in the 1986 postseason.
Although his playing career was good, Lyons' work off the field is more meaningful. While still playing in 1982, he established the Marty Lyons Foundation to help fulfill the wishes of children suffering from terminal or life-threatening illnesses. Lyons' charitable work has extended well past his playing career, and the Jets have named their annual award for charitable giving after Lyons.
Since 2002, Lyons has the been the analyst for games on the Jets Radio Network.