LAST DANCE!
The New York Jets have been in the desert for over half a century. They won their one and only Super Bowl in 1968 and haven’t been back since. But back in the 80s, they were legitimate contenders. The centerpiece of those teams was its fierce defensive line. While Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons and Abdul Salaam wreaked havoc on opposing offenses, they bickered amongst themselves like Axl and Slash. Now, ESPN has documented their contentious history in its latest 30 for 30 documentary, “The New York Sack Exchange,” which is the foursome’s nickname. At just under an hour, it’s a quick, compelling watch, especially if you’re a football fan.
Back then, the Jets’ home was a dated baseball stadium, Shea Stadium. It was football in an incinerator. Because of the dirt infield, the playing surface was usually a dust bowl or a mosh pit. The portable end zone seats felt on the verge of collapse when fans jumped up and down. Fireman Ed didn’t exist. However, there was a lunatic in the end zone upper deck who mooned the faithful after he led them in the J-E-T-S chant. Concussion protocol? Take two Tylenol.
After the Jets drafted Gastineau and Lyons in 1979, the Sack Exchange had its motley line-up. If it weren’t for football, Klecko, a pit bull of a man, says he would’ve been a truck driver. Lyons, the only Sack Exchanger out of a blue blood football power, Alabama, became the philanthropist, raising millions for kids in need. And then there was Gastineau, who came out of nowhere - East Central Oklahoma State.
Gastineau was the showman. After sacks, Gastineau would break out into a raucous war dance as Shea played “The Safety Dance” to the delight of the Shea rowdies, many of whom were inebriated on terrible tap beer. Klecko and Lyons wanted Gastineau to stop, deeming the dance poor sportsmanship. But Gastineau persisted, arguing that he just wanted to be himself. With neither side budging, Abdul Salaam, which means soldier of peace, kept the factions at bay. The Sack Exchange couldn’t live together, but they could play together, and their friction made them bring out the best in one another.
However, Rams offensive tackle Jackie Slater refused to endure Gastineau’s theatrics. As Gastineau danced, Slater shoved him, inciting a massive brawl. Gastineau seemed to take on half the Rams team. It’s wonderful footage.
Meanwhile, the Jets flirted with greatness. However, they always came up short in devastating fashion. First, there was the wildcard loss to Buffalo in the Shea slime, and then they lost “The Mud Bowl,” an AFC championship game, to the Dolphins at the Orange Bowl. In controversial fashion, Miami coach Don Shula didn’t cover the field with a tarp, negating the Jets’ supposed speed advantage. Following this fiasco, Jets coach Walt Michaels stepped down, Salaam was traded and the Jets wound up in another swamp, this time in Jersey: Giants Stadium. Mooning was no more, however, MetLife did host the infamous butt fumble years later.
The Jets did manage one more run, but they collapsed in Cleveland. During this catastrophe, Gastineau was tagged as the goat for a pivotal late quarterback hit. Soon after, the Sack Exchange was history. Klecko, who had battled injuries for years, was released and wound up in Indianapolis. Abruptly, Gastineau, who was injury free, quit. At the time, he cited his girlfriend’s ovarian cancer. Gastineau was dating Sylvester’s Stallone’s ex, actress Brigitte Nielsen. In the doc, Gastineau offers additional reasons for his exit, and he also discusses his turbulent childhood, including his experiences as a rape victim. It's painful viewing.
The Sack Exchange were reunited, however briefly, for the doc. It’s the fourth quarter now for these old gladiators. Forgiveness is discussed, and tears are shed. However, old rivalries die hard. For one, Klecko was inducted into the Hall of Fame, but Gastineau hasn’t, something that distresses him. It’s understandable, but considering the recent, too-soon passing of Adbul Salaam, it seems relatively petty. The doc’s ending is funeral somber, but it left me wanting at least one more dance.
Jon Hart is @manversusball
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