Kevin Mawae named to NFL Hall of Fame

Former Jets center Kevin Mawae is now a member of the NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2019.

Mawae was one of eight members that will enter the hallowed halls of Canton, in August, joining the likes of former Ravens safety Ed Reed, former Patriots cornerback Ty Law and former Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez.

Former Broncos cornerback Champ Baily and Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, along with senior finalists Johnny Robinson and Gil Brandt round out the select group.

For Mawae it is an honor well deserved.

Drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 1994, Mawae was signed by the Jets and then-head coach Bill Parcells prior to the 1998 season. Mawae soon became the anchor of one of the most consistent offensive lines in football as he helped pave the way for Hall of Famer Curtis Martin, and provided ample protection for quarterbacks Vinny Testaverde and Chad Pennington over eight years.

In ’98 the Jets were second in the NFL in yards per game with 357.2 ypg, and Testaverde went on to have a career year, throwing for 29 touchdowns and only seven interceptions, as the Jets marched all the way to the AFC Title game.

During that season, Mawae established himself not only as one of the best centers in the sport; he became a team leader, and a face of perhaps the best era in Jets history.  During his eight years in New York, the Jets made the playoffs four times, winning two division titles.

In 2004, Mawae and company plowed open holes for Martin, who led the league in rushing (1,697) beating out Shaun Alexander by one yard. After a 5-0 start to the season that year, the Jets finished 10-6 before beating the San Diego Chargers in a thrilling wild card playoff game. The season ended in heartbreak in Pittsburgh a week later.

Mawae becomes the second Jet in the last seven years to be inducted into Canton, with the other being Curtis Martin.

Mawae is the fifth Jets player in the Hall joining Joe Namath, Webb Ewbank, Don Maynard, and Martin.

The Jets formally inducted Mawae into the Jets Ring of Honor two years ago. We will see if they formally retire his number 68, which right now is being worn by Kelvin Beachum.

Had injuries befallen his own career, Wayne Chrebet could have ended up in the Hall of Fame with both Martin and Mawae, but that probably won’t happened.