CNN
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Former New York Jets move rusher Mark Gastineau says Brett Favre “harm” him after he confronted the Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback in regards to the controversial NFL sack report grudge involving the 2 of them.
Gastineau set the report for probably the most sacks in a season in 1984 with 22. But within the ultimate minutes of the final sport of the 2001 season, New York Giants star Michael Strahan was credited with a sack of then Green Bay Packers QB Favre to interrupt the report with 22.5.
It was a controversial second as Favre appeared to slip to the turf with simply Strahan in entrance of him as he regarded to move downfield. Strahan was credited with the record-breaking sack, collapsing to the turf in celebration with even Favre coming over to rejoice with him.
Although Gastineau was in attendance and congratulated Strahan on the time, a video posted on social media by ESPN teasing the community’s upcoming 30 for 30 documentary, “The New York Sack Exchange,” confirmed the 68-year-old confronting Favre in regards to the incident at a memorabilia present in 2023.
“When you fell down for (Strahan),” Gastineau stated to Favre after the Green Bay legend tries to shake his hand and says he acknowledges Gastineau. “I’m going to get my sack again. I’m going to get my sack again, dude.”
“You most likely would harm me,” Favre replied.
“Well, I don’t care,” Gastineau stated. “You harm me. You harm me! You hear me?”
“Yeah, I hear you,” Favre stated.
“You actually harm me. You harm me, Brett,” Gastineau stated earlier than Favre is escorted away by somebody on the occasion.
In the teaser clip, Gastineau additional explains his stance, saying: “Anybody will inform you that Brett Favre took a dive.”
Shortly after the clip was launched on social media, Favre addressed the controversy in a thread on X – previously referred to as Twitter – saying that he “by no means (was) making an attempt to harm Mark Gastineau” by sliding on the toes of Strahan.
“I used to be making an attempt to shut out a sport and squeeze the final little bit of enjoyable out of a hard-fought sport,” the Super Bowl XXXI winner wrote. “I booted out of a run pondering it could be large open, noticed Strahan standing there and ducked down.
“The sport was over. There was no want for me to do something spectacular. It most likely wasn’t Michael’s finest sack or deal with for loss. In a distinct sport or state of affairs, I’d have made a much bigger effort to keep away from the sack or TFL (deal with for loss).
“But at no level was I fascinated about hurting Gastineau. Maybe it crossed my thoughts to assist Strahan. I didn’t suppose it via. That wasn’t my forte on the time.”
Favre added that with hindsight, he understands Gastineau’s stance on the matter and hopes that he’ll be part of Favre within the Pro Football Hall of Fame sometime.
“We performed a brutal sport. Gastineau performed throughout an period the place guys didn’t make generational wealth,” Favre stated. “I see now how being the Sack King would elevate his worth at card exhibits, strengthen his case for the Hall of Fame, enhance his demand as a public speaker.
“I had no means of realizing that then. I notice now the potential monetary implications as a result of soccer is way extra business-oriented than when me or Mark performed.
“There was no malice on my half. Mark was an important participant. My understanding is he’s an important man and a enjoyable teammate, a man who performed with the type of pleasure and fervour I attempted to imitate. I perceive his frustration, however I’m not his enemy.
“Some time again, he noticed me at a card present and bought his frustration off his chest. It’s not the type of second that needs to be filmed and launched. It was a non-public second of frustration between two outdated soccer warriors.
“Mark undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the sport. I hope this controversy brings consideration to simply how nice Mark Gastineau was. He belongs in Canton.”
In 2021, TJ Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers tied Strahan’s report.
Gastineau performed his whole 10-year NFL profession with the Jets earlier than taking part in a season with the BC Lions in Canada.
He was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1982 and a first-team All Pro 4 instances. He has 107.5 sacks within the NFL.
