99 for 99 takes a look at the 99 biggest moments in UB Football history in anticipation of the 99th Season of UB Football which begins on September 1st, 2012. These moments are not in any order, however the top 10 moments have been saved for last.
November 30, 1963 - Gerry Philbin is drafted 19th overall by the New York Jets.
December 2, 1963 - Gerry Philbin is drafted 33rd overall by the Detroit Lions
January 12, 1969 - Gerry Philbin wins Super Bowl III
After a great UB career which saw Philbin become a 2nd team All-American, a Little All-American and an Academic All-American, it was time for Gerry to go pro. He was so good he was not only drafted once, he was drafted twice!
In the AFL draft, Philbin was drafted the earliest of any UB player in history when he was selected 19th overall by the Jets. 2 days later, he was drafted 33rd overall in the NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, which stands as the earliest draft selection of a UB player in the NFL draft to date.
Detroit at the time had a reputation for losing draft picks to the AFL, as they offered contracts under market value. Philbin became the 10th draft pick in 4 years to go to the AFL rather than accept a contract with the Lions.
Fortunately Philbin signed with the Jets as 6 years later they made history. Philbin was a starting defensive end on the 1969 AFL Championship team that defeated the Oakland Raiders 27-23 at Shea Stadium and earned the right to compete in Super Bowl III. Super Bowl III in Miami famously featured the Joe Namath Guarantee, but the real story was Philbin and the Jets defense that held the heavily favored colts to only 7 points. One of the defensive coaches on the Jets was Buddy Ryan, who helped develop Philbin at UB.
Philbin became the first UB alumnus to win the Super Bowl and for 40 years he was the only UB alumnus with a Super Bowl win.