Getty ImagesThe single-season sack record stands at 22.5. Last year, Vikings defensive end Jared Allen finished with 22, tying Mark Gastineau, the guy who held it before Michael Strahan set the record 11 years ago.
And many (OK, most) football fans believe that the record rightfully belongs to Allen and Mark Gastineau, given that Strahan’s final sack came when former Packers quarterback Brett Favre called a one-man audible and rolled in Strahan’s direction and slid into his waiting arms.
Gastineau says in one breath that he’s not paying attention to the latest three-man chase for the single-season sack record, but then in the next he expresses hope that someone will set the record and remove the taint that the current high-water mark carries.
“Well, like I said, I really haven’t been keeping up on it,” Gastineau recently told Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic. “If somebody does get the record, though, I would acknowledge him in a respectful way and that would be almost something I would really enjoy, to see him get a record that he deserves.
“It would be nice if there was no negativity toward it.”
Gastineau still has some negativity toward Favre. “It really tarnished that record,” Gastineau said of Favre’s maneuver. “But I think the one that suffers the most is Strahan because so many Jets fans still give him a hard time whenever they see him.”
Favre was far more elusive after the game, when Gastineau waited with a Packers helmet that he wanted Favre to sign for Gastineau’s brother. “[H]e shot out of the locker room like he had been shot out of a cannon,” Gastineau said. “I don’t know. People probably thought I was going to sack him. He told me he was going to send it to me. I’m still waiting on that. I’m not going to lose any sleep over it.”
If Gastineau has lost any sleep over the manner in which his record was broken, he won’t if/when Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (who has 20.5) or 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith (19.5) or Broncos linebacker Von Miller (who has 17.5) can pull it off on Sunday.
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I still don’t understand why the NFL recorded that play as a sack – it should have been a run for a loss as Favre never intended to pass.
Guess what Mark. Strahan really doesn’t care what Jet fans think. He just flashes his SB ring at them and smiles!
Just when I thought we were done hearing about Favre….
Yup, Favre laid down for the sack because he’s just that good of a guy. Just like when he was kind enough to float an interception to Corey Webster in overtime in the NFC championship game to set up Lawrence Tynes for the longest field goal by an opponent in postseason history at lambeau. He’s such a swell guy.
Favre sucks
Agree deep64. The NFL should have stepped in and not recognized that clown act from that clown QB as a legit sack.
Florio should start a petition w/Gastineau to have it removed and see how the NFL handles it.
Strahan’s record is not legit.
Hopefully Watt gets the record today. His will be the only legit numbers, and will be more impressive
Sack total for a season is ridiculous anyway considering they didn’t start keeping it until the early 80s. Besides, everyone knows Reggie White should own it (21 in a strike shortened 12 game season in 1987… he’d of had 25-27 sacks for sure). The record is truly most likely owned by a pre-1982 guy… someone like Norm Willey.
It’s not like that was the only game that Favre laid down and played dead.
The current sack record is a joke. It would be nice to see Aldon, J.J., or Von Miller grab it legitimately.
It wouldn’t shock me to learn that Deacon Jones actually has the record. I wonder if NFL Films could go back and check somehow?
Just further proof that Brett Favre was the most overrated, overhyped, douche bag of a QB that ever walked the Earth. This is a BAD guy … could never understand what Madden and so many others saw him him that made them gush the way they did. Favre is a selfish jerk.
I’m pretty sure Coy Bacon had something like 26 or 27 sacks in 1976 for the bengals.
Sounds like a lot of sour fans
That was 11 years ago…??? Wow…
Always liked Gastineau, and I agree that Strahan’s play was not a legit sack.
No one juiced more than Gasteneau and Klecko.
Record’s already tainted.
Reggie White was a great players, but off the field he was a phony. He choose to be with Green Bay instead of the Jets. He goes to better team rather than to weaker one where he could helped them get better. Lots of great players do this in the NFL, choose the better team. John Elway did that to the Colts when they were in Baltmore. He turn the QB job for Colts, and went to Denver. There is a part in the bible where Jesus said, when a king invites you to a dinner, take your set in the lower place, so that the king may invite you up higher to set with. him. Wanting to go to a better team over a weaker one is a sign of pride. Heave doesn’t welcome proud people.