Once Upon a Time the NY Jets Were Good

Today, the New York Jets are a disgraceful dumpster fire. But back in the 80s, they were on fire, legit contenders. Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons, and Abdul Salaam controlled the line of scrimmage as The New York Sack Exchange.

That said, the Jets bickered amongst themselves like Axl and Slash. ESPN has documented this foursome’s contentious history in the entertaining documentary, The New York Sack Exchange. Clocking in at just under an hour, it’s quick, compelling viewing.

Back then, the Jets’ home was an antiquated baseball stadium in Queens, Shea Stadium, an ear-splitting incinerator because nearby airport traffic was heavy. Because of the dirt infield, the playing surface was either a dust bowl or a mosh pit. The portable end zone seats often seemed on the verge of collapse.

Fireman Ed was nowhere. However, there was a lunatic in the end zone upper deck who mooned the faithful after he led the J-E-T-S chant.

Gastineau (L) and Klecko (photo courtesy “There is No Offseason Post” on Facebook

The Sack Exchange was formed after the Jets drafted Gastineau and Lyons in 1979. If it weren’t for football, Klecko, a pit bull of a man, says he would’ve been a truck driver. After games, Klecko was known to drink beers with fans in Shea’s parking lot. Lyons, the only Sack Exchanger from a blue-blooded Alabama family, eventually became a 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…or hotdog. After sacks, Gastineau would break into a raucous dance as Shea played “The Safety Dance” to the delight of the Shea rowdies, many of whom were inebriated on lousy tap beer.

Klecko and Lyons wanted Gastineau to stop dancing, deeming it poor sportsmanship. But Gastineau persisted, arguing that he was just being himself. With neither side budging, Abdul Salaam, meaning “soldier of peace,” kept the factions at bay. The Sack Exchange couldn’t live together, but they played together, and their friction ultimately brought out their best.

However, Rams offensive tackle Jackie Slater had had enough of Gastineau’s theatrics. As Gastineau danced in one game at Shea, Slater shoved him, inciting a massive, bench-clearing brawl. Gastineau seemed to take on half the Rams team. Check out the YouTube footage.

Meanwhile, the Jets flirted with greatness but always came up short in devastating fashion. First, there was the wild-card 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. Unforgettably, Miami coach Don Shula didn’t cover the field with a tarp, negating the Jets’ supposed speed advantage.

The NY Sack Exchange from Left, Klecko, Lyons, Salaam, and Gastineau (photo courtesy Gang Green Nation)

Following that fiasco, Jets coach Walt Michaels stepped down, Salaam was traded, and the Jets wound up in a swamp, this time in New 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 fiasco, 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 at the time, walked away from the game. At the time, he cited his girlfriend’s ovarian cancer. Gastineau was dating Sylvester 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 sexual assault victim. It’s painful viewing.

The Sack Exchange was reunited, however briefly, for the doc. It’s the fourth quarter now for these aging gladiators. Forgiveness is discussed. Eyes get moist.
However, old rivalries die hard.

For one, Klecko was inducted into the Hall of Fame, but Gastineau hasn’t been, which distresses him. It’s understandable, but considering the recent passing of Abdul Salaam, it seems relatively petty. The doc’s ending is somber, but it left me wanting more.

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Jon Hart is the author of Unfortunately, I was available.