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Mark
Gastinueau was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma on Nov. 20, 1956. Chosen
out of East Central Oklahoma University by the New York Jets in
the second round of the 1979 NFL draft of college players, Gastineau
became one of the most feared defensive ends of the early 1980s,
teaming with Joe Klecko to lead a line nicknamed the "New York
Sack Exchange".
The
6-foot-5, 265-pound Gastineau used a combination of strength and
quickness to get to quarterbacks before they could release the ball.
He was named American Football Conference defensive player of the
year in 1984.
Professional
Career:
- Played
in 138 regular season career games with the New York Jets from
1979 through 1988.
- His
107.5 career regular sacks are a Club record. At the time of
his retirement, Gastineau was the NFL's all-time leader in sacks.
(Sacks began being recorded in 1982. Thus, Jets' record books
also include the time Gastineau was credited with tackling a
passer behind the line of scrimmage in an obious passing situation.)
- Was
a five-time Pro Bowl performer (1981-1985).
- Established
a Club and NFL record for most sacks in a season in 1984 with
22 sacks. Was named the NFL defensive player of the year in
a vote by his peers. (The record was broken in 2001 by New York
Giant's defensive and Michael Strahan's 22.5 sacks.)
- Was
named the Most Valuable Player in the 1984 Pro Bowl after registering
four sacks, a safety and seven tackles.
- Played
in seven postseason contests, with five starts, and had nine
sacks.
- Retired
from professional football on October 21, 1988.
-
Honored as one of the "Jets' Four Decades Team"
December 2003
Mark
Gastineau's Career Sacks |
Year |
Games
Played/Starts |
Regular
Season-Sacks |
1979 |
16/1 |
2.0 |
1980 |
16/16 |
11.5 |
1981 |
16/16 |
20.0 |
1982 |
9/9 |
6/0 |
1983 |
16/16 |
19.0 |
1984 |
16/16 |
22.0 |
1985 |
16/12 |
13.5 |
1986 |
10/7 |
2.0 |
1987 |
15/7 |
4.5 |
1988 |
8/8 |
7.0 |
| Totals |
138/108 |
107.5 |
Copyright
2004, All Rights Reserved.
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