Joe Walton, Giants Star Who Found Futility as Jets Coach, Dies at 85

His survivors include his wife, Patty Sheehan Walton; two daughters, Jodi and Stacy, and a son, Joe, from his marriage to his first wife, Ginger, who died in 2007; and six grandchildren. He lived in Englewood.

Walton’s head-coaching career in the N.F.L. of the 1980s became entwined with the franchise for which he had starred in the 1960s.

In all but his first year as the Jets’ coach, Walton, his players and their fans were cast in the Giants’ shadow; the Jets played all eight home games each season at Giants Stadium after leaving Shea Stadium in Queens.

“It’s like playing 16 away games,” Walton said in “Gang Green,” recalling the lack of inspiration from the stands.

“After a couple of years, their big fan base from Long Island left, dropped out,” he said of the Jets. “No matter how many banners you put up, it’s still Giants Stadium.”

Jordan Allen contributed reporting.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/16/sports/joe-walton-giants-star-who-found-futility-as-jets-coach-dies-at-85.html