For their latest 30 for 30 documentary, "The New York Sack Exchange," ESPN tackles the often contentious chemistry of the one the greatest defensive fronts in NFL history. Daniel O'Connor, who was interviewed for the doc, came up with the fun moniker. O'Connor, a retired police officer and a multi-award winning author of crime and horror fiction, took a few moments to discuss the doc, the Sack Exchange - Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons and Abdul Salaam - and his experiences as a New York Jets fan. You can find his work on his Amazon page.
Still Photo from ESPN's 30 for 30 documentary, "The New York Sack Exhange"
STADIUM JOURNEY:
So when did ESPN interview you for the doc? How long did they speak to you for? What was the process like?
DAN O'CONNOR:
They interviewed me last February at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The NFL was in town for the Super Bowl. I was actually a bit surprised that they found me and reached out. A nice surprise. They were great and I was interviewed for about an hour. I knew that my screen time would be probably less than a minute because in the grand scheme of the New York Sack Exchange, I'm a miniscule part, but I was so honored to be included. The process was basically a two camera shoot with a crew of maybe 5 people. Very professional crew. Likeable people.
STADIUM JOURNEY:
Were you pleased with the finished product? Was it what you expected?
DAN O'CONNOR:
Very pleased. I love how maybe the world will get to see what a phenomenon those four guys were. I've met them a few times, including in 1981, a few days before that final regular season game when they mauled Lynn Dickey and the Green Bay Packers in a game to clinch a playoff spot. My family was also invited by the team to the game - and pregame festivities - in 2003 when they honored the Sack Exchange at halftime. That was special because there is a photo of our two young daughters with the players.
STADIUM JOURNEY:
What was it like to follow the Jets in 1980? Fondest memories? Worst?
DAN O'CONNOR:
You know, it was never easy being a Jets fan - which has somehow continued through today, despite the roster the current team has. The first year I ever watched sports - I was 8 or 9 years old - the Jets, Mets, and Knicks all won championships. I thought that might become a semi-regular occurrence. You live and learn. 1980 was the end of a dark spell for the team. They quickly improved to playoff level. By the way, yes it's a coincidence, but the 1981 Jets were 0-3 when the New York Sack Exchange nickname was officially announced in Jets Report magazine. They went 10-2-1 the rest of the way and made the playoffs.
STADIUM JOURNEY:
Describe attending a football game at Shea Stadium. Best seats?
DAN O'CONNOR:
I never had great seats at a Shea Stadium football game. Back then I was lucky to just be able to afford any tickets. But it was fun wherever I sat. The first game I attended was in 1970. The mostly Joe Namath-less Jets weren't any good, but I lucked into seeing them defeat the playoff-bound Purple People Eater Minnesota Vikings, 20-10. That was the conclusion of a 3 game winning streak during which they also upset the Fearsome Foursome LA Rams on the road. The Jets won only four games that year, but three of them were consecutive.
STADIUM JOURNEY:
Compared to what they offer at Citi Field, they didn't offer much as far as concessions at Shea. How'd you feel about the cuisine and beverages at Shea?
DAN O'CONNOR:
I was thrilled to get a hot dog. I do know that later on, when I became a dad, my girls would love an ice cream sundae in a plastic Mets mini-helmet. So would I.
STADIUM JOURNEY:
Where did you do your Shea pre-game and post game, if at all?
DAN O'CONNOR:
For me and my friends, it was all about a pregame barbeque in the parking lot. Sometimes postgame as well.
STADIUM JOURNEY:
Did any of the Sack Exchangers ever personally acknowledge you for coming with the moniker?
DAN O"CONNOR:
All four members of the Sack Exchange have thanked me in person for the name, and also with autograph inscriptions. It's funny. They seem to sometimes remember that I gave them that name, and yet at other times, they get fuzzy about its origin. Here is the timeline of that name: August, 1981: The Jets Report announces the "Name The Front Four" contest. September 1981: I'm announced as the winner. A week or two after that announcement, fans hold up a "NY Sack Exchange" bedsheet banner at Shea Stadium. The TV broadcast picked up on it. Shortly after that, Jets trainer Pepper Burruss begins printing out a locker room spreadsheet, making the sacks appear to be Wall Street trades. The media picks up on that and begins to attribute the nickname to Burruss. He has since said to me, and to the media, that he did not create the nickname. He merely picked up on it and created the spreadsheet. There is still confusion about all of that, despite me having physical proof of all of it. There was never any mention of the term "New York Sack Exchange" before the Jets Report September issue announcing it, and me. I'm happy that NFL Films and ESPN took the time to get it right. Several books have also reported it correctly, including "Sack Exchange: The Definitive Oral History of the 1980s New York Jets" by Greg Prato.
STADIUM JOURNEY:
If you were there, what do you remember about the last Jets game at Shea?
DAN O'CONNOR:
Wasn't there, but it was sad nonetheless.
STADIUM JOURNEY:
How'd you feel about the move to the Meadowlands? Did you follow the team there?
DAN O'CONNOR:
I want the Jets in New York, but I have attended games in New Jersey. The feel of Shea Stadium was much different and better. I remember reading that it had become a dump, but I didn't know any better and I loved it.
STADIUM JOURNEY:
There are rumours that Jets are returning to Queens. Is there any truth to this?
DAN O'CONNOR:
There have been rumors for so long. I'll believe it when I see it.
Jon Hart is @Manversusball
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