Former Jets defensive tackle Marty Lyons, who helped anchor the interior of Green’s famous “New York Sack” Exchange” defense and White in the 1980s, were elected to the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame.
Before being drafted 14th overall by the Jets in 1979, Lyons played in the 1979 Senior Bowl for the South , coached by then-Jets head coach Walt Michaels. In Mobile, AL, Lyons also played against Mark Gastineau of East Central Oklahoma State, who was later drafted in the second round (No. 41) by New York. earned a spot in the Jets’ Ring of Honor. Lyons played three seasons for Alabama and legendary head coach Paul Bear Bryant from 1975 to 1978. In his final season, Lyons was named All-American Defensive Player of the Year, SEC Defensive Player of the Year and captained the Tide’s national championship team.
“I want to express my gratitude to the Senior Bowl Committee for this great honor,” Lyons said. “It is an honor to represent the University of Alabama, the coaching staff, my teammates and the passionate fans of the Crimson Tide.”
Lyon played 11 seasons for the Jets (1979-89), 147 games (135 starts) and recorded 43 sacks and eight fumble recoveries. He topped 6 sacks on the season three times and was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner in 1984. Lyons directly attributes his success in being drafted to playing in the Senior Bowl.“Playing in the Senior Bowl provided me with an invaluable opportunity to showcase my talent in front of the best players in college football,” Lyons said. speak. “This experience played a pivotal role in my journey to becoming a first-round draft pick of the New York Jets, where I spent my entire 11-year NFL career.”Senior Class Bowl 2024 also includes Carson Palmer. , current Texans HC DeMeco Ryans, Eric Weddle and Roddy White. Lyons joins Jets legend Joe Namath as the team’s sole inductee.
“We are excited to bring another group of accomplished Senior Bowl alumni back to Mobile,” Jim said Nagy, CEO of Reese’s Senior Bowl. “Each of them is one of the greatest players in the history of their respective NFL franchise and we are excited to honor their incredible careers.”The Jets have participated in the Senior Bowl in recent seasons. In 2024, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is the head coach of the national team participating in the 75th anniversary of the all-star event. And in 2022, before the decision to split the Senior Bowl staff into coaches for multiple teams, the entire Jets staff coached.
