Mark Gastineau

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Lore & Background

Gastineau's career is defined by his explosive presence on the defensive line alongside Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons, and Abdul Salaam. This group, dubbed the 'New York Sack Exchange,' combined for 66 sacks in 1981, with Gastineau recording 20 unofficial sacks that year to help lead the Jets to their first playoff game since 1969. The nickname originated earlier in 1981 from a fan or media member, not from ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. In 1983 and 1984, Gastineau led the NFL in sacks with 19 and 22 respectively, the latter standing as a record for 17 years until Michael Strahan broke it in 2001. His dominance was punctuated by his 'Sack Dance,' which he performed after sacking quarterbacks until the NFL banned excessive celebrations in March 1984—a broader rule change, not a direct result of a specific brawl. Despite an off-field arrest at Studio 54 in 1983, Gastineau remained a focal point of the Jets' defense, earning consensus All-AFC honors and being named MVP of the 1984 Pro Bowl (played in January 1985), where he recorded two sacks and a forced fumble.

In Their Own Story

The 1986 divisional playoff game against the Cleveland Browns remains a defining, yet painful, moment in Gastineau's career. Late in the fourth quarter with the Jets leading 20–10, Gastineau was called for a roughing the passer penalty on quarterback Bernie Kosar during what appeared to be an incomplete pass. Instead of facing a 3rd-and-24, the penalty gave the Browns a first down at their own 33-yard line. The Browns drove 67 yards for a touchdown and later tied the game with a field goal by Mark Moseley, eventually winning in double overtime. Gastineau insisted he was 'just following through,' while teammate Marty Lyons defended him against referee Ben Dreith, claiming he was known to protect quarterbacks too well. Earlier that season, injuries had limited Gastineau to just two sacks in ten games due to groin, abdominal, and knee ailments requiring arthroscopic surgery. Despite the loss, his postseason performance included a sack against the Kansas City Chiefs and 2½ more against the Browns.

Reader's Guide

For fans of the New York Jets, understanding Gastineau requires noting the specific trajectory of his career statistics and controversies. Sacks were not an official stat until 1982, meaning his 74 recorded sacks do not include his unofficial 20 from 1981. His 1987 season was marked by a rift with teammates; he was the only Jet regular to immediately cross the picket line during the players' strike, citing alimony payments, which led to tensions and a fight with backup center Guy Bingham. He later abruptly retired in 1988 after leading the AFC in sacks for seven weeks, an announcement linked to engagement to Brigitte Nielsen amid rumors of her cancer diagnosis that were investigated by local papers. Following his NFL career, he attempted a comeback with the BC Lions in the CFL in 1990 but was released after four games. He later boxed from 1991 to 1996, finishing with a 15–2–1 record before retiring again. In 2012, he was inducted into the Jets Ring of Honor, and in 2022, he was named to the PFRA Hall of Very Good.

Did You Know?

• Connie Carberg, the first female scout for the New York Jets (claims of being the NFL's first female scout are disputed), discovered Gastineau via a phone conversation and convinced the Jets to select him in the second r
• Gastineau's 'Sack Dance' was banned in March 1984 as part of a broader NFL rule change against excessive celebration, not directly due to a single brawl.
• He held the NFL single-season sack record of 22 from 1984 until Michael Strahan broke it in 2001.
• Gastineau was one of several Jets regulars to cross the picket line during the 1987 players' strike, including Pat Leahy and Ken O'Brien.