1976 Profile: Greg Gantt

Punter
No. 8
Alabama
"Gantt had a disappointing second year as the Jets regular punter, averaging 36.5 yards per kick, last in the AFC. He had a 35.9 average in 1974. Gantt faces the unenviable task of battling the winds of Shea Stadium on a regular basis. He had three blocked punts in 1975, most in the AFC.
He doubled as a place kicker in 1974 when Bobby Howfield was injured. Greg has the ability to place 'situation' type kicks not aimed for deep yardage. He had the longest punt of his pro career in '75, 71 yards, and the best day of his pro career came in the Jets' '74 upset of Miami, kicking seven times for a 45.7 average. Drafted eighth in 1974, Greg has had injury problems in training camp but has always been healthy for the regular season.
Greg would have been the nation's leader as a senior in college, booting 25 times for a 48.7 average; he was Alabama's 'long' situation punter while 1976 No. 1 pick Richard Todd was the 'short' situation kicker. Greg also did kickoff work.
He averaged 43.6 on 116 career punts with long boots of 85 and 70 yards. He was All-SEC three times. Greg set a Cotton Bowl record with a 50-yard field goal and played in bowl games all three years.
Greg majored in vocational education. He enjoys playing pool. His hometown is Birmingham, Alabama."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide