State Your Case: Why Has Hall Snubbed Mark Gastineau?

Former New York Jets' defensive lineman Joe Klecko will be enshrined in Canton next month, as he should. But why isn't there room in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for more than one member of the "New York Sack Exchange?"

Which is another way of saying: What about Mark Gastineau?

He's never been a finalist or semifinalist, and that's odd. Because he was a four-time All-Pro, three of them consensus, and a five-time Pro Bowler. Furthermore, he was named to more Pro Bowls and All-Pro teams than Klecko and rushed the pass more effectively -- which is what the "Sack Exchange" was all about.

Klecko represented old-school values and was the one writers thought was the leader and soul of the "Sack Exchange." By contrast, Gastineau wasn't particularly popular among his teammates, with antics that sometimes annoyed them ... as well as others.

His sack dance, for instance, didn't play well in that era. Old-school guys hated it. He wasn't as effective vs. the run as he was rushing the passer. Teammates noticed, and their criticisms made it to the press.

So did his reputation off the field. He was portrayed as flashy and flamboyant, someone who frequented Studio 54, married an actress, donned the cover of magazines and racked up numerous endorsement deals. There were also rumors that he used steroids to enhance his size and strength to match his freakish speed.

When Gastineau became the NFL's highest-paid defender that may have caused jealousy, too -- especially when, in the 1984 playoffs, he had a costly roughing penalty that contributed to a Jets' loss to Cleveland.

All of those factorss could contribute to Gastineau's failure to gain serious consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But not even as a semifinalist? Mark Gastineau was a pass rusher who could get you 20 sacks a season and who won AP Defensive Player-of-the-Year votes four consecutive seasons.

There are 22 defensive ends in the Hall of Fame, and Gastineau was All-Pro more times than all but eight of them -- Reggie White, Bruce Smith, Gino Marchetti, Deacon Jones, Jack Youngblood, Len Ford, Carl Eller, Willie Davis and Michael Strahan.

That is heady company.

He also went to as many or more Pro Bowls than Davis, Ford, Charles Haley, Fred Dean, Richard Dent and Ed Sprinkle.

In all, he played 137 games in his 10-year career and had 107-1/2 sacks, which averages to 12.6 per 16 games. Including players whose careers occurred during the non-official sack era (i.e., prior to 1982), only Deacon Jones and Reggie White averaged more among those who played 100 or more games.

Bottom line: Mark Gastineau was paid to rush the quarterback, and he did it as well as anyone who ever played the game.

 A second-round draft pick in 1979 out of East Central Oklahoma State, Gastineau made an immediate impression with rare speed. He began his career as a third-down rusher and was so effective that Hall-of-Fame tackle Ron Yary said he was the fastest defensive end he ever faced.

As a rookie, his pressure helped the Jets produce more than 30 team sacks for the first time since 1970 ... and that was just the beginning. From 1980-85, Gastineau was dominant, with 92 sacks -- or 28-1/2 more than anyone during that span -- and an average of 66 tackles, 16-1/2 sacks (three times with 19 or more), 101 pressures and three forced fumbles per 16 games.

He was the 1982 NEA Defensive Player of the Year, the 1984 AFC Defensive Player of the Year and, in addition to his All-Pro and Pro Bowl accolades,.a two-time AFC Defensive Lineman of the Year. 

When he put up 22 sacks in 1984, he set the official NFL single-season record -- one that stood 17 years before Michael Strahan had 22-1/2 in 2001. What's more, he led the NFL in sacks in 1983 (19) and '84 (22), making him one of only eight players to lead the league twice in that category.

But then, in 1985, the Jets switched to a 3-4 defense, and life began to change for Mark Gastineau. In 1986, he was moved from left to right defensive end in base defense, and that -- plus injuries -- curtailed his production. However, when he returned to the left side in 1988, he seemed to have regained the magic and, by midseason, was tied for the AFC lead in sacks. But that's when he learned of fiancé Brigitte Nielsen's uterine cancer diagnosis and abruptly retired after seven games.

He never returned.

With a resume like Gastineau's, you'd think he'd have been brought up at least once for Hall-of-Fame discussion as a modern or senior candidate, but it hasn't happened. It should. The only reasonable explanation is that he brought too much baggage with him.

But is it fair? Was he the only NFL player suspected of using steroids? No. Not even close. Steroids weren't against league rules during Gastineau's career (suspensions for positive tests began in 1989), and multiple players were known to "juice."

Then there's the criticism of not playing the run; that he was really a one-trick pony. Though largely true, it's an observation that hasn't been applied to other pass-rushing defensive linemen who were pass rushers first and run stoppers second. In fact, the description fits some modern edge rushers soon eligible for the Hall as well as defensive tackles already in there.

So let's review the knocks on Gastineau:

-- Playing the run?

When Paul Zimmerman named Gastineau to his 1983 Sports Illustrated team, he wrote, "The Jets' Mark Gastineau ... was a target for TV commentators this year. They were always telling you how he was overplaying the pass, at the expense of the run, but then their isolated camera would catch him stopping the ball carrier for a yard loss. Maybe Gastineau's techniques aren't perfect yet, but nobody hustled as much as he did—for a full afternoon. No, I don't go for the sack dance, either, but give the guy credit. He played great this year."

Additionally, he worked on it and according to press reports, "Improved immeasurably". 

-- The sack dance?

It was frowned on at the time, but later generations routinely celebrated after plays. Now, it's the norm.

-- The money?

Players may have been jealous, but they should have thanked him. He set the market for elite pass rushers. Howie Long wanted, and eventually received, "Gastineau money". Fred Dean also wanted to be paid similarly to the dominant Jet.

-- The flash and dash, magazines, disco, Madison Avenue endorsements, dating an actress?

Who cares? It's no one's business if a guy enjoys his notoriety and can make some extra bucks.

-- The playoff personal foul? 

Guilty as charged. But this may be the least of all dings on Gastineau. If it were applied to all enshrined players, it would yield a long list. Hall-of-Fame voters are reminded that Gastineau put pressure on quarterbacks in every playoff game, producing at least one sack in each of seven games and twice having more than one.

Dr. Z's commentary on the 1983 season could also be applied to Gastineau's performances in all Jets' playoff games: "Give the guy credit, he played great ..."

It's time Hall-of-Fame voters give Mark Gastineau a fair hearing and treat him like everyone else—on the strength of his case and his credentials. The guy was a load. 

"Some ends are strong," Dolphins' tackle Eric Laakso said. "Some are fast. But very few have the size, speed and strength that Gastineau has in such quantities. That is what makes him so difficult (to block). What it comes down to is: Can I back up as fast as he can run forward six yards."

Here's hoping Hall voters do what's right and finally take a look at what Mark Gastineau accomplished. He deserves nothing less.