Better late, even much too late, than never for Joe Klecko, and for Debbie Klecko.
Charles Wenzelberg
She knows how much it will matter when Klecko is called, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, to assume his rightful place. He had been working construction and driving huge tractor-trailer rigs until football beckoned. She came from a football family, and she had given him the push he needed when he hesitated joining the rough, tough sandlot Aston Knights of the long-defunct semi-pro Seaboard Football League … as Jim Jones from Poland University to keep his amateur status for college eligibility.She threw the keys out of their parked car so he would have to retrieve them, and the rest was history.
“It was horrible,” Debbie said. “I’ve seen him get hurt a lot, but I knew that one was bad. They called me from the trainers room and they let me know that he was hurt pretty bad and they were gonna take him right to the hospital, he wouldn’t be home. He got to the hospital [Lenox Hill] and he had the surgery, and the doctor [Bart Nisonson] called me the next morning. And he was acting like, ‘This is it. Joe’s not gonna play anymore.
“That was bad,” Debbie said. “That was really bad. I wasn’t expecting it. He had a six-pack of beer and we went and sat on the beach. He was mad. He was crying. I remember telling him, ‘Look, you had a great career. If this is it, then this is it.’ But he was not ready. I guess he had to go out on his terms, and that was not his term. If he could go back and do it over again, I think he would have probably did things a little differently.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jets vs Browns Odds, Picks & Predictions - NFL Preseason Hall of Fame GameFOOTBALL IS BACK 🏈 And while it might not be the real thing - CoversJLo has found a betting angle to attack in the Hall of Fame Game between the Jets and Browns.
Read more »
Former Chargers coach Don Coryell finally reaches Hall of Fame decades after he changed the NFLWhat many people have long considered a snub will be rectified Saturday when Coryell, whose influence on the sport remains unmistakable, is enshrined.
Read more »
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame to Induct Keith Urban, Kix Brooks, David Lee Murphy & MoreThe gala will be held in October.
Read more »
2023 NFL Hall of Fame Game best bets: Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets odds, picksHere's a rundown of our 2023 NFL Hall of Fame Game best bets, including Browns vs. Jets odds and picks.
Read more »
2023 Hall of Fame: Darrelle Revis was a lockdown corner and fantastic businessmanThe Pro Football Hall of Fame will formally welcome its Class of 2023 on Saturday. This week, Yahoo Sports is highlighting each member of the nine-man class, leading up to the big ceremony.
Read more »