Some resentments never go away, as demonstrated by Mark Gastineau. The former New York Jets star is still furious over the contentious play that ended his career, nearly 23 years after Michael Strahan shattered his single-season sack record. The New York Sack Exchange, ESPN’s much awaited “30 for 30” documentary, now shows the full depth of his fury.
3 Years Later: Mark Gastineau Revisits The Record That Sparked a Firestorm
Strahan broke Gastineau’s record of 22 sacks, set in 1984, in the season’s last game in 2001, after it had held unbroken for 17 years. Favre took the snap in a game that was already decided, with Strahan’s Giants behind Favre’s Packers 34–25 with less than three minutes remaining. Favre seemed to slide out and collapse at Strahan’s feet rather than trying to avoid the rush. Many, including Mark Gastineau, think the play was staged, as Strahan ended up with a season-high 22.5 sacks.
“Anyone will tell you that Brett Favre took a dive,” the documentary’s Mark Gastineau yells. He applauded Strahan in public at the time, but in private, his hatred was building and has finally erupted.
A Heated Confrontation Caught on Camera
When Mark Gastineau eventually met Favre in person, it was at a memorabilia show in Chicago. ESPN cameras caught the encounter, which soon became awkward and unpleasant. Gastineau chose to settle his score in front of the cameras and fans, claiming he was unaware Favre would be present.
Gastineau held out his hand and remarked, “We finally met.” “Yeah,” said Favre casually, “I think we’ve met before. Gastineau, however, was everything but friendly.
Gastineau yelled, “Yeah, right—when you fell down for him,” alluding to the notorious play. “I will retrieve my sack.” I’m gonna get my sack back, dude.”
Taken by surprise, Favre attempted to diffuse the tension. He jokingly said, “You’d probably hurt me.”
Undeterred, Gastineau retorted, “Well, I don’t care.” I was wounded by you. Brett, you wounded me.
When handlers escorted Favre away at the end of the exchange, Gastineau was clearly incensed. Jo Ann, Gastineau’s wife, later came to Favre’s table to make up, saying her husband “didn’t mean anything by it” and offering an apology on his behalf.
Decades of Lingering Resentment
There are other reasons for Gastineau’s resentment besides the loss of his record. The piece, in his opinion, represented a lack of moral character and might have even damaged his reputation. Gastineau stated, “I wanted to inform him that it was a trash sack.” “I’ve had that goal for a very long time—many, many years.”
Strahan has also been a target of criticism for the record-breaking sack. “The sack record is great, absolutely phenomenal, but I almost feel like in a sense it was diminished because everyone goes, ‘Oh, Brett Favre gave you a sack,'” Strahan acknowledged in the 2013 NFL Network documentary A Football Life.
Favre Speaks Out
Favre spoke out on social media after videos of the altercation went viral, referring to it as “a small dustup.” Favre wrote, “Maybe it crossed my mind to help Strahan, but I didn’t think it through,” in reference to the notorious play, denying any malice. At the time, that wasn’t my strong suit.
“There was no malice on my part,” he added, defending Gastineau’s legacy. I hope that this dispute highlights Mark Gastineau’s greatness. Canton is where he belongs.
Revisiting a Legacy
Even after T.J. Watt tied Strahan’s 22.5 sacks in 2021, the controversy surrounding that sack still persists. The documentary gives Mark Gastineau an opportunity to address the grievances that have plagued him for decades and to remind supporters of his supremacy on the field.
The 30 for 30 documentary explores the complexities of Mark Gastineau’s relationship with his teammates and the emergence and fall of the Jets’ “Sack Exchange.” It will debut on ESPN and ESPN+ on Friday at 8 p.m. ET.
In the movie, Gastineau states of Favre, “He hurt me.” However, I will retrieve my sack. Regardless.
This documentary is sure to enthrall football fans and spark discussions for years to come with its explosive scenes, unfiltered emotions, and unresolved grudges.
