Mark Gastineau facts for kids

Mark Gastineau (born November 20, 1956) is a former American football player. He was a defensive end for the New York Jets in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons. He was known as one of the best defensive players of his time.

In 1982, Mark was named the Defensive Player of the Year. He was also the first player to lead the league in sacks for two years in a row. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl five times and was named All-Pro four times. When he retired, he held the record for the most sacks in a single season. In 2012, he was added to the New York Jets Ring of Honor for his great career.

Becoming a Football Star

Mark Gastineau started his college football journey in 1975 at Eastern Arizona Junior College. He quickly showed his talent, earning All-America honors in his first year. He then played for Arizona State University for one season. He finished his college career at East Central University in Oklahoma.

During his college years, Mark recorded 27 quarterback sacks. This showed how good he was at tackling the opposing team's quarterback. His strong performance helped him get noticed by professional teams.

In 1979, the New York Jets picked Mark in the second round of the 1979 NFL draft. This was a big moment for him and his college. A scout named Connie Carberg helped the Jets discover Mark. She suggested him after a phone call, and his skills in pre-draft events made the Jets choose him early.

Playing in the NFL

Mark Gastineau was one of the most skilled defensive players of his time. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl five years in a row, from 1981 to 1985. He ended his 10-year career with 74 official sacks. Sacks became an official statistic in 1982. He was also named First-team All-Pro from 1982 to 1984.

The "New York Sack Exchange"

In New York, Mark was a key part of a famous group called the "New York Sack Exchange". This was the Jets' strong defensive line. It also included Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons, and Abdul Salaam.

In 1981, these four players combined for 66 sacks. Mark had 20 sacks that year, which was a huge number. Their strong play helped the Jets reach the playoffs for the first time in many years. In November 1981, the four players were invited to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. This event inspired their famous nickname.

In 1982, Joe Klecko was injured early in the season. Mark Gastineau stepped up as a leader for the "Sack Exchange." Even though opposing teams often used two players to block him, he still got six sacks. He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year that season. The Jets made it to the playoffs again in 1982.

Leading the League in Sacks

The 1983 season was a great one for Mark. He recorded 19 sacks, leading the entire NFL for the first time.

Mark was famous for his "Sack Dance" after tackling a quarterback. This dance became very popular. However, the NFL later decided it was "unsportsmanlike" and started fining players for it in 1984. This rule came after a big fight during a game in 1983. Mark was fined $1,000 for his part in the incident.

In 1984, Mark had his best individual season. He set an NFL record with 22 sacks. He also had 69 tackles and scored a touchdown after recovering a fumble. He was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Year. He was also the MVP of the 1985 Pro Bowl, where he had four sacks. Mark's sack record stood for 17 years.

For the 1985 season, the Jets changed their defense. Mark moved to a new position, but he still played very well. Even with a broken hand early in the season, he finished with 13.5 sacks. The Jets made the playoffs that year.

1986 Playoffs and Retirement

In the 1986 season, injuries limited Mark to only two sacks in 10 games. However, he played well in the playoffs. He had a sack in the Jets' win over the Kansas City Chiefs. He then had 2.5 more sacks in a tough playoff game against the Cleveland Browns.

During that game, Mark was called for a "roughing the passer" penalty. This penalty gave the Browns a first down and helped them score a touchdown. The Browns eventually tied the game and won in overtime. After the game, Mark and his teammates felt the call was unfair.

Mark Gastineau retired from the NFL in 1988. At the time, he was the NFL's all-time leader in sacks. He tried to make a comeback in 1990 with the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League, but he played only four games.

In 2012, Mark was honored by the New York Jets. He was inducted into their Ring of Honor, recognizing him as a legendary player for the team. In 2022, he was also named to the PFRA Hall of Very Good.

NFL Career Statistics

• Sacks were not an official stat until 1982

Life After Football

After his football career, Mark Gastineau tried boxing in 1991. He boxed for five years, winning 15 of his 18 fights. His boxing career ended in 1996.

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

In 2007, Mark married his third wife, JoAnn. He has spoken about finding faith and is a member of the choir at Times Square Church.

Health Challenges

In 2016, Mark Gastineau was diagnosed with dementia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. He believes these illnesses are related to playing football. He wants to help teach younger players how to play the game safely to avoid similar health issues.

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