National Awards Presented to Four More Legendary Jets

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…