This is one in a series of articles that will also appear in the New York Jets 2024 Yearbook, which will be published later this summer.
Jets fans might think that after having four of their all-time favorites inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the previous five years — Kevin Mawae in 2019, Winston Hill in '20 and Darrelle Revis and Joe Klecko in '23 — there might be a hiatus in national recognition for wearers of the Green & White.
But the beat goes on. Two former longtime Jets football support staffers, public relations director Frank Ramos and equipment manager Bill Hampton Sr., were among 15 recipients of the Hall of Fame's third annual Awards of Excellence presented, June 26-27, in Canton, OH.
Also, legendary Jets defensive tackle Marty Lyons in April was elected to the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame, and Jets offensive tackle Chris Ward in January was chosen for the 19-player College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
The Pro Football HOF awards are presented in five categories to those who made significant contributions to their individual NFL clubs and to pro football.
Ramos, 85, is the longest-serving PR rep for a single New York pro sports team. He spent his entire 39-year public relations career with the Green & White, from their first season as the Jets in 1963 through 2002. He never missed a game — working 779 games in all, including preseason — with the highlight coming Jan. 12, 1969, at Miami's Orange Bowl when the Jets stunned the Colts 16-7 in Super Bowl III. Ramos was selected as a member of the Super Bowl PR group each year of his career and was often a key voice in helping shape the league's public relations positions.
"I'm excited to be going into the Hall with dear friend Bill Hampton and with my fellow PR directors, Harvey Greene of the Dolphins and Dan Edwards of the Jaguars," Ramos said. "I was very fortunate to have such a long career with the Jets and to have worked with outstanding owners Sonny Werblin, Leon Hess and Woody Johnson. But I wouldn't be going to Canton without the help of so many others. I still bleed Jets Green. Go J-E-T-S!"
Hampton, who died in 2015 at 86, is being honored posthumously. "Hamp" worked the Jets equipment room from 1964-2000, missing only one game in that span due to a medical issue. He, along with his wife, Dottie, was credited with the ideas of outfitting players in pantyhose to keep their legs warm during frigid conditions and of sewing pockets onto the jerseys of QBs, RBs and receivers. His memory lingers on at One Jets Drive in the Hampton Award, presented annually since 2004 to the Jets rookie "who acts like a pro in the locker room."
Lyons, 67, went on from his 1979 participation in the preeminent college all-star game in Mobile, AL, to become the 14th overall pick of the '79 NFL Draft by the Jets and a founding member in the early Eighties of the vaunted New York Sack Exchange. He is the team's longtime radio analyst and in 2013 was celebrated as the 13th member of the Jets' Ring of Honor. He and four other Senior Bowl Hall of Famers will be honored June 30 at this year's induction ceremony.
"I would like to express my gratitude to the Senior Bowl Committee for this great honor," Lyons said. "It's a privilege to represent the University of Alabama, the coaching staff, my teammates, and the great fans of the Crimson Tide. Playing in the Senior Bowl provided me with an invaluable opportunity to showcase my talent against the best players in college football. The experience played a pivotal role in my journey to becoming a first-round pick of the New York Jets, where I spent my entire 11-year NFL career. Thank you and Roll Tide!"
Ward starred at Ohio State from 1974-77, which led to him being selected fourth overall by the Jets in the '78 draft, and he played and started at LT in 94 of the 96 games they played from 1978-83. He will be recognized in December in Las Vegas.
