Mark Gastineau
Mark Gastineau (born November 20, 1956) is a retired American professional football player who played as a defensive end for the New York Jets in the NFL from 1979 to 1988. A five-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler, Gastineau was known as one of the fastest and most intimidating pass rushers of his era, becoming the first player to lead the NFL in sacks in consecutive seasons. He was ranked eighth on the NFL Network’s list of top 10 pass rushers in NFL history.
College Career
Mark Gastineau began his college career at Eastern Arizona Junior College in 1975, earning All-America honors in his first season. He then transferred to Arizona State University, where he played one season before finishing his college career at East Central Oklahoma State University (now East Central University) in Ada, Oklahoma. During his time in college, Gastineau recorded 27 sacks and was named Outstanding Defensive Lineman for the North at the 1979 Senior Bowl. He was selected by the New York Jets in the second round of the 1979 NFL Draft, making him ECU’s first-ever draft pick. His selection was partly due to the recommendation of Connie Carberg, the NFL’s first female scout. Mark Gastineau
Professional Career
Gastineau was one of the most accomplished defensive linemen of his time. He earned five straight Pro Bowl selections from 1981 to 1985 and finished his career with 74 sacks, even though sacks were not officially recorded during the first three years of his career. He was named First-team All-Pro in 1982-1984 and was a consensus All-AFC in each of those years.
The “New York Sack Exchange”
Gastineau was a key player in the famous “New York Sack Exchange” alongside Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons, and Abdul Salaam. In 1981, the group recorded 66 sacks, with Gastineau contributing 20 sacks. This performance helped the Jets reach their first playoff appearance since 1969. After Klecko was injured in 1982, Gastineau became the leader of the Sack Exchange, finishing the season with six sacks and earning NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors. Mark Gastineau
Defensive Player of the Year
Gastineau led the NFL in sacks with 19 in 1983. Despite some off-field issues, including an arrest in connection with an altercation at Studio 54, he maintained his dominance on the field. He continued his remarkable performance with a record-breaking 22 sacks in 1984, leading the NFL for a second consecutive season. His sack record stood for 17 years until it was surpassed by Michael Strahan in 2001. Gastineau was also named the MVP of the 1984 Pro Bowl after a stellar performance that included four sacks. Mark Gastineau
1985-1986 Seasons and Injuries
In 1985, after the Jets switched to a 3-4 defense, Gastineau finished with 13.5 sacks, despite a broken hand. The following year, injuries began to slow him down, but he still contributed in the postseason, recording multiple sacks during the Jets’ playoff run. Mark Gastineau
1987 NFL Players’ Strike
Mark Gastineau became a controversial figure in 1987 when he crossed the picket line during the players’ strike, citing personal financial reasons. His decision deepened tensions in the locker room and was widely criticized by teammates.
Retirement and Comeback
Gastineau led the AFC in sacks early in the 1988 season but abruptly retired after rumors about his fiancée Brigitte Nielsen’s health surfaced. Despite the speculation surrounding his retirement, Gastineau retired as the NFL’s all-time sack leader at the time. He briefly attempted a comeback with the BC Lions in 1990 but was released after four games.
Post-Football Life
Gastineau was inducted into the New York Jets Ring of Honor in 2012 and was named to the PFRA Hall of Very Good in 2022. After retiring from football, he pursued a brief career in boxing, winning 15 out of 18 bouts. Gastineau also starred in the reality TV show The Gastineau Girls with his daughter, Brittny.
Gastineau has faced several legal issues, including charges for assault, drug possession, and domestic violence. In 2016, he was diagnosed with dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s, which he attributed to his football career. He also battled colon cancer and has become an advocate for safer football practices.
Family Life
Gastineau has been married three times and has children, including a son with actress Brigitte Nielsen. Despite past challenges, he has publicly shared his religious transformation and faith journey in recent years.