Ex-Jet Marty Lyons named to college HOF
Former Jet Marty Lyons, shown here in 2001 at an NFL demonstration in Bryant Park, was named to the College Football Hall of Fame on May 17, 2011. Credit: Newsday / Alan Raia
After former Jets defensive lineman Marty Lyons received the news of his election to the College Football Hall of Fame for his accomplishments at the University of Alabama, the emotions washed over him. In fact, it was all he could do to choke back tears when he spoke Tuesday at a news conference in midtown Manhattan to announce the 2011 class of 14 players and two coaches.
"When you get off the phone, the true emotions really start to settle in about what you've accomplished being a part of the Hall of Fame," Lyons said. "That's when you have to reflect on everybody that has been instrumental in your life, everybody that has been there to pick you up when you didn't have the strength to do something."
Ohio State running back Eddie George, the 1995 Heisman Trophy winner, Florida State cornerback Deion Sanders and former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr were among the other headliners who will be celebrated at a dinner Dec. 6 at the Waldorf Astoria.
Drafted No. 1 (14th overall) by the Jets in 1979, Lyons was a part of the "New York Sack Exchange" pass-rushing unit along with ends Joe Klecko and Mark Gastineau and tackle Abdul Salaam. But his greatest success came at Alabama, where he helped lead the Crimson Tide to the 1978 national title under Hall of Fame coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, capping a four-year career that included three Southeastern Conference titles and a 42-6 record.
Lyons couldn't think of his college days without also reflecting on the recent devastation wreaked in Tuscaloosa by a powerful tornado that hit near campus. "Ever since the day of the storm, you're just numb," Lyons said. "All those places that got wiped out, all those families that don't have a house. I remember going to the games on the team bus, and you see thousands of fans lining the street with an Alabama flag, people supporting you that didn't have the financial means to attend the game but you were a part of the Crimson Tide.
"My heart went out to them, and my prayers are with them. I'm going down Saturday for a fundraiser at the university . . . As the 23rd member of the Alabama family to go into the Hall of Fame, I'm going to take my coaching staff, my teammates, Alabama fans and put them all on my back and carry them in there."
Also selected for enshrinement are Florida receiver Carlos Alvarez, Texas defensive lineman Doug English, Oregon State fullback Bill Enyart, Miami defensive lineman Russell Maryland, Georgia defensive back Jake Scott, Nebraska guard Will Shields, Minnesota quarterback Sandy Stephens (deceased), West Virginia linebacker Darryl Talley, Oklahoma halfback Clendon Thomas, Arizona defensive lineman Rob Waldrop, Michigan State receiver Gene Washington and Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry.
