Mark Gastineau facts for kids

Marcus Dell Gastineau (born November 20, 1956) is a former American football player. He was a defensive end for 10 seasons with the New York Jets in the National Football League (NFL). During his NFL career, he was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1982. He was also the first player to lead the league in sacks for two years in a row. Gastineau was chosen for five Pro Bowl games and four first-team All-Pro teams. When he retired, he held the record for the most sacks in a single season. The Jets Ring of Honor welcomed Gastineau in 2012 for his achievements.

College Football Journey

Mark Gastineau started his college football career at Eastern Arizona Junior College in 1975. He was recognized as an All-American in his first year there. He then moved to Arizona State University for one season. After that, he decided to play at East Central Oklahoma State University, which is now called East Central University.

During his college career, Gastineau made 27 quarterback sacks. He was named the Outstanding Defensive Lineman for the North team in the 1979 Senior Bowl. This game helps college players show their skills to professional teams.

Joining the NFL Draft

The New York Jets picked Mark Gastineau in the second round of the 1979 NFL draft. This made him the first player from East Central University to be drafted into the NFL. Connie Carberg, who was the first female NFL scout, helped the Jets find Gastineau.

The Jets needed another defensive lineman for the Senior Bowl. Carberg suggested Gastineau after talking to him on the phone. He was expected to be picked much later in the draft. However, his great performance in the Senior Bowl helped him get chosen much earlier by the Jets.

Professional Football Career

Mark Gastineau was one of the most skilled defensive linemen of his time. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl five years in a row, from 1981 to 1985. He ended his ten-year career with 74 officially recorded sacks. Sacks were not an official statistic for his first three years. He was a First-team All-Pro from 1982 to 1984. He was also recognized as All-AFC in those years.

The "New York Sack Exchange" Team

In New York, Gastineau was a key player in a famous group called the "New York Sack Exchange". This was the Jets' defensive line, which also included Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons, and Abdul Salaam. In 1981, these four players combined for 66 sacks. Gastineau had 20 sacks that year, which was very close to Klecko's total.

Their strong play helped the Jets reach the playoffs for the first time since 1969. Gastineau was a second-team All-Pro in 1981. In November 1981, he and his teammates were invited to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. This event inspired their famous nickname.

In the 1982 season, Joe Klecko was injured. Gastineau then became the main leader of the "Sack Exchange." Even though opponents often used two players to block him, he still got six sacks. He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year by NEA. The Jets made the playoffs again in 1982. They lost the AFC Championship game to the Miami Dolphins.

Leading the League in Sacks

The 1983 season began with Gastineau leading the NFL in sacks for the first time. He finished the season with 19 sacks.

Gastineau was well-known for his "Sack Dance" after tackling an opposing quarterback. However, the NFL stopped this in March 1984. They said it was "unsportsmanlike" and started fining players for it. This rule came after a big fight during a game against the Los Angeles Rams in September 1983. The fight started after Gastineau sacked the quarterback.

Gastineau had his best individual season in 1984. He set an NFL record with 22 sacks, leading the league for the second year in a row. He also had 69 tackles and recovered one fumble for a touchdown. He was named the UPI AFC Defensive Player of the Year. He was also the MVP of the Pro Bowl that season, getting four sacks and a safety in that game. Gastineau's sack record lasted for 17 years until Michael Strahan broke it in 2001.

For the 1985 season, the Jets got a new defensive coordinator, Bud Carson. Gastineau moved from left defensive end to right defensive end. He also moved around to create good matchups against opponents. Gastineau broke his hand early in the season. Despite this, he still finished second in the league with 13.5 sacks. He was also named All-Pro by the NEA.

The Jets finished the 1985 season with 11 wins and 5 losses. This earned them a wildcard spot in the playoffs. Gastineau recorded a sack in the Jets' playoff loss to the New England Patriots.

1986 Playoff Performance

At the start of the 1986 season, Gastineau was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated with New York Giants star linebacker Lawrence Taylor. Injuries limited Gastineau to only two sacks in ten games. He was slowed by groin and abdominal muscle problems. Then, a damaged left knee required surgery, making him miss the last five regular season games.

Gastineau played better in the postseason. He recorded a sack in the Jets' win over the Kansas City Chiefs. He had 2.5 more sacks in the playoff game against the Cleveland Browns. In that game, Gastineau was called for a penalty late in the fourth quarter. This penalty helped the Browns score a touchdown and tie the game. The Browns eventually won the game in double overtime.

After the game, Gastineau said he did not think he committed the penalty. His teammate Marty Lyons agreed, saying the referee was known for protecting quarterbacks.

1987 Players' Strike and Retirement

In 1987, there was a players' strike. Gastineau was one of the few Jets players who crossed the picket line right away. He later retired abruptly during the 1988 season. At the time he retired, Gastineau was the NFL's all-time leader in sacks.

Gastineau tried to return to football with the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League in 1990. However, he was released after playing only four games.

On October 8, 2012, Mark Gastineau was inducted into the New York Jets Ring of Honor. In 2022, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Gastineau to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2022.

NFL Career Statistics

• Sacks were not an official stat until 1982

Boxing Career

In 1991, Gastineau started a career in boxing that lasted five years. In his first fight, he won by knockout in the first round. His boxing career ended in 1996 when he lost to another former football player, Alonzo Highsmith. Overall, in 18 boxing matches, he had 15 wins, two losses, and one no-contest.

Personal Life and Health

Mark Gastineau has been married three times. His first wife, Lisa Gastineau, and their daughter Brittny Gastineau were on a reality TV show called The Gastineau Girls. Gastineau also has a son named Killian Marcus.

After a challenging period, Gastineau shared that he found new purpose through his faith. He has appeared on TV shows like The 700 Club to talk about his experiences. Gastineau is a member of the choir at Times Square Church, where he married his third wife, JoAnn, in 2007.

Health Challenges

In 2016, Gastineau was diagnosed with dementia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. He believes these illnesses are connected to his football career. He wants to help teach younger football players how to play the game safely. He thinks that poor tackling techniques might be a cause of brain diseases.

In March 2019, Gastineau shared that he was also battling colon cancer.