The New York Jets have no shortage of legendary players – especially on the defensive side of the ball. On Thursday, I was fortunate enough to speak with one of those legends, and member of the NY Jets “Sack Exchange”, Marty Lyons. We discussed the upcoming documentary featuring the Sack Exchange, the New York Jets, and the Marty Lyons Foundation, which has helped children with terminal of life-threatening illnesses.
I hope you all enjoy this interview as much as I did.
Interview with New York Jets Legend Marty Lyons
To open the interview, Thomas and Marty discuss the the upcoming 30-for-30 documentary by ESPN that was greenlit about the “Sack Exchange”. Despite the documentary coming decades after the four stars played their NFL careers, Lyons was not surprised that the documentary is coming now.
“I think it’s perfect timing with Joe [Klecko] going into the Hall of Fame last year, and the Jets playing as well as they did last year with the defensive line … I just wish they would have included the back seven. The front four can only work if the back seven give them time to get to the quarterback.”
While the 11-year veteran doesn’t believe that anything new will come out per se, he did enjoy the experience.
“It should be a very interesting piece. They interviewed each one of us individually for three hours, and then the whole group for three hours. I’m sure ESPN 30-for-30 is going to do an excellent job putting it together.”
All of the members of the Jets’ “Sack Exchange” are inducted into the team’s ring of honor – except for one. That is Abdul Salaam, who has been waiting his turn to get into the that prestigious circle. When asked if Lyons’ believed Salaam should get in, he didn’t hesitate to show support to his former teammate.
“I definitely think he should be [in the ring of honor]. I think it would be an honor for all three of us to welcome Abdul. We’re trying to put the push on the organization and bring his name up every chance we can get.”
Moving ahead in the conversation, the two discussed what the biggest difference is between when Lyons’ was playing in the NFL, to now. And the answer may surprise some football fans.
“Without a doubt Tom [the biggest difference] is free agency. Players playing out their contracts and going to other teams. When I was playing we didn’t have free agency. You stayed with the organization as long as you could. You either retired with class or they would release you then you’d hope you’d get picked up by another team.”
The free agency conversation sparked an interesting turn, where Lyons’ mentioned the similarities and how it’s played a part in Haason Reddick’s decisions this season. Reddick has yet to report to the Jets in search of a new contract – and the former Jets’ legend finds it hard to fault Reddick for doing so.
“You got to do what’s best for your family, and I think that’s what he’s doing. I don’t know how long he’s going to hold out. I know the Jets are excited about having him, but you have to get in there and learn the system and get into football shape.”
Changing topics, the subject is then moved to Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who missed nearly all of last season after tearing his Achilles. Lyons’ gave his thoughts on the quarterback,
“Well, he still has an arm – he gets rid of the ball quick. When you look at the way he leads the team, [as well] … The leader of the team without a doubt is Aaron, and he leads by example. He inspires people.”
With the Jets playing the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football in Week 3, Lyons’ discussed the rivalry between New York and New England. He gave a memory of the team losing big against the Patriots during his playing time, and wants the Jets to pull out the victory over the Patriots.
Ending the conversation, Lyons’ goes into detail about how he started his foundation – which came about while he was still playing for the Jets. The roller coaster of emotions from the birth of his son, to the death of his father, and the death of a friend, helped spark the flame for the organization’s founding.
Since 1982, the Marty Lyons foundation has generated $43 million and operate in 14 states, helping over 8,500 families.
