Mark Gastineau was a dominant defensive end for the New York Jets from 1979-1988. Known for his incredible speed and pass-rushing abilities, Gastineau terrorized quarterbacks, becoming the first player to lead the NFL in sacks for two consecutive seasons. A five-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler, his impact on the game earned him the #8 spot on NFL Network's list of top 10 pass rushers, solidifying his place as one of the most feared defenders of his era.
November 20, 1956: Birth of Mark Gastineau
Mark Gastineau was born on November 20, 1956.
1969: Jets' First Playoff Game Since 1969
The New York Jets reached their first playoff game since 1969 in 1981.
1975: College Career Begins
Mark Gastineau's college football career started in 1975 at Eastern Arizona Junior College.
1979: Senior Bowl Honors
In 1979, Mark Gastineau earned Outstanding Defensive Lineman honors for the North in the Senior Bowl.
1979: New York Jets Draft
Mark Gastineau was drafted into the NFL by the New York Jets in 1979.
1979: Drafted by the Jets
The New York Jets drafted Mark Gastineau in the second round of the 1979 NFL draft, thanks to the efforts of Connie Carberg, the first female NFL scout.
November 1981: "New York Sack Exchange" Rings Opening Bell
In November 1981, the "New York Sack Exchange" (Gastineau, Klecko, Lyons, and Salaam) rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.
1981: Pro Bowl Selection
Mark Gastineau was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 1981.
1982: First-team All-Pro Selection
Mark Gastineau was named a First-team All-Pro in 1982.
1982: Defensive Player of the Year
Mark Gastineau was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1982.
September 25, 1983: Brawl with Rams
A bench-clearing brawl occurred between the Jets and Rams on September 25, 1983, partly triggered by Gastineau's sack and subsequent shove by Jackie Slater.
1983: Arrest and League-Leading Sacks
Despite being arrested and charged with assault, Mark Gastineau led the NFL with 19 sacks in 1983.
March 1984: "Sack Dance" Banned
The NFL banned Gastineau's "Sack Dance" in March 1984, deeming it unsportsmanlike taunting.
1984: Record-Breaking Season and Pro Bowl MVP
In 1984, Mark Gastineau set an NFL record with 22 sacks and was named Pro Bowl MVP.
1984: Assault and Community Service
In 1984, Mark Gastineau was found guilty of assaulting someone at Studio 54 and was sentenced to 90 hours of community service teaching football at Rikers Island.
1984: Third Consecutive First-team All-Pro Selection
Mark Gastineau earned his third straight First-team All-Pro selection in 1984.
1985: Fifth Consecutive Pro Bowl
Mark Gastineau made his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance in 1985.
1985: Playoff Loss to Patriots
Gastineau and the Jets lost to the Patriots in the 1985 playoffs.
1985: New Defensive Scheme and Continued Success
Despite a broken hand, Gastineau finished second in the league with 13.5 sacks in 1985 under a new 3-4 defense.
1986: Injuries Hinder Performance
Injuries limited Gastineau to just two sacks in ten games during the 1986 season.
1987: Crossing the Picket Line
Gastineau crossed the picket line during the 1987 players' strike, causing tension with teammates.
1988: Abrupt Retirement
Gastineau abruptly retired from the NFL in 1988 following Brigitte Nielsen's cancer announcement.
1988: Retirement from NFL
Mark Gastineau retired from the NFL in 1988.
1990: Brief CFL Stint
Gastineau attempted a comeback with the BC Lions in 1990 but was released after four games.
1991: Boxing Career Begins
Mark Gastineau started his boxing career in 1991. His first fight was against Derrick Dukes, whom he knocked out in the first round.
1991: Arrest for Drug Possession
Mark Gastineau was arrested in 1991 at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport for possessing amphetamine pills.
1993: Sentencing for Drug Possession
In 1993, Mark Gastineau was sentenced to three years of probation for his 1991 drug possession arrest.
1996: Boxing Career Ends
Mark Gastineau's boxing career ended in 1996 after a loss to former football player Alonzo Highsmith. His overall record was 15 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no-contest.
September 2000: Jail Sentence for Assault
In September 2000, Mark Gastineau was sentenced to 18 months in jail for failing to complete anger management after assaulting his second wife, Patricia.
2001: Sack Record Broken
Michael Strahan broke Gastineau's sack record in 2001.
2001: Religious Conversion and Release from Prison
Shortly after being released from prison in 2001, Mark Gastineau claimed to have experienced a religious conversion and found faith in Jesus Christ.
2007: Third Marriage
Mark Gastineau married his third wife, JoAnn, in 2007 at Times Square Church, where he was also a choir member.
2010: Estrangement from Children
In 2010, Mark Gastineau became estranged from both of his children, Brittny Gastineau and Killian Marcus.
October 8, 2012: Jets Ring of Honor Induction
Mark Gastineau was inducted into the New York Jets Ring of Honor on October 8, 2012.
2016: Diagnosis of Neurological Diseases
In 2016, Mark Gastineau was diagnosed with dementia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease, which he attributed to his football career, specifically poor tackling techniques.
March 2019: Colon Cancer Diagnosis
Mark Gastineau revealed in March 2019 that he was battling colon cancer.
2022: PFRA Hall of Very Good Induction
Gastineau was inducted into the PFRA Hall of Very Good in 2022.