While the New York Jets haven’t had much to celebrate in recent years, the legacy of their organization lives on decades after they won their only Super Bowl in 1969.
Less than a decade after that Super Bowl, the Jets had what some would argue would be their best draft class in team history. In 1977, the Jets drafted Hall of Famer Joe Klecko, Marvin Powell, Wesley Walker and Kevin Long, who passed away Tuesday. Long’s cause of death is unknown.
New York Jets RB Kevin Long passed away Tuesday and fans reacted on social media
Long played football for the South Carolina Gamecocks before being drafted by the Jets in 1977. Long’s time in South Carolina was enough for him to be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame as well as the state’s Hall of Fame.
Long was the first 1,000-yard rusher to ever come through South Carolina and he is still 10th on the school’s all-time rushing list.
Long spent five seasons with the Jets before moving over to the USFL to conclude his career. In those five seasons with the Jets, Long managed to accrue nearly 2,200 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns.
Long also had over 500 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns on 74 receptions. While Long doesn’t stack up to great Jets running backs like Curtis Martin, he has his place in Jets history, hence the great deal of support he received on social media.
He was a key player for the Jets from 1977-81. He led the Jets in rushing in 1978 with over 900 yards and was part of the 1979 Jets backfield that led the NFL in rushing in 1979.
— Michael Kronenberg ✡️ (@MWKronenberg) September 11, 2024
Recency bias aside, arguably best Jets draft of all time. Dan Alexander, Scott Dierking, & Matt Robinson (who Jets later obtained a 1st round pick for) as well. Long led the Jets in rushing in 78, he & Dierking were a bruising duo. RIP to a great Jet!
— nyjetsfan14 (@nyjetsfan08) September 11, 2024
Me and my dad had Wranglers/Outlaws season tickets while they were around. Members of the Corral Club too! Cherished memories from a time long gone. K Long had some great moments on their march to the title game in ‘84 against the Philadelphia Stars RIP 🏈😀
— Darren Hitzig (@DHitzig5773) September 11, 2024
He was part of that 75 backfield with Grantz and Williams that combined for 2700 yds and 25 yds with Long and Williams eclipsing 1000.
— 8bitOrbust (@8bit_orbust) September 11, 2024
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