Mark Gastineau is a former professional American football player who had a successful career in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the New York Jets, and was one of the most decorated defensive linemen in NFL history. Gastineau was a two-time All-Pro and the 1985 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a member of the New York Sack Exchange, one of the most famous defensive lines in NFL history.
Early Years
Mark Gastineau was born on November 20, 1956 in Ardmore, Oklahoma. He attended high school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was a standout athlete in both football and track and field. He was recruited by several college teams, but ultimately chose to attend East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. At East Central, Gastineau was an All-Conference defensive end and a member of the track and field team.
Professional Career
In 1979, Gastineau was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in each of his first five seasons. In 1985, Gastineau was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a member of the legendary “New York Sack Exchange” defensive line, which helped the Jets reach the AFC Championship game in 1982. Gastineau played for the Jets until 1988, when he retired from the NFL.
Post-NFL Life
Since retiring from the NFL, Gastineau has remained active in the sports world. He has worked as a football analyst for ESPN and Fox Sports, and is a frequent guest on sports talk shows. He has also been involved in charity work, and is a spokesperson for a number of organizations. Gastineau has written two books about his NFL career, and in 2012 he was inducted into the Jets’ Ring of Honor.
Mark Gastineau is one of the most successful defensive linemen in NFL history. He had a successful career with the New York Jets, and was named the 1985 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Since retiring from the NFL, Gastineau has remained active in the sports world, working as an analyst and spokesperson for several organizations. He was inducted into the Jets’ Ring of Honor in 2012.
