I want to clear the air on the footage released showing a small dustup between myself and Mark Gastineau, the former New York Jet, so here’s a 🧵.
(1)
(1)
Back in 2002, when Michael Strahan sacked me at the end of a game that we had wrapped up, I was in no way trying to hurt Mark Gastineau.
I was trying to close out a game and squeeze the last bit of fun out of a hard-fought game.
(2)
I was trying to close out a game and squeeze the last bit of fun out of a hard-fought game.
(2)
I booted out of a run thinking it would be wide open, saw Strahan standing there and ducked down.
The game was over.
There was no need for me to do anything spectacular.
It probably wasn’t Michael’s best sack or tackle for loss.
(3)
The game was over.
There was no need for me to do anything spectacular.
It probably wasn’t Michael’s best sack or tackle for loss.
(3)
In a different game or situation, I would have made a bigger effort to avoid the sack or TFL.
But at no point was I thinking about hurting Gastineau. Maybe it crossed my mind to help Strahan. I didn’t think it through. That wasn’t my forte at the time.
I just wanted to have fun and compete. In retrospect, I understand how Gastineau feels. We played a brutal game. Gastineau played during an era where guys didn’t make generational wealth.
(4)
But at no point was I thinking about hurting Gastineau. Maybe it crossed my mind to help Strahan. I didn’t think it through. That wasn’t my forte at the time.
I just wanted to have fun and compete. In retrospect, I understand how Gastineau feels. We played a brutal game. Gastineau played during an era where guys didn’t make generational wealth.
(4)
I see now how being the Sack King would elevate his value at card shows, strengthen his case for the Hall of Fame, increase his demand as a public speaker.
I had no way of knowing that then. I realize now the potential financial implications because football is far more business-oriented than when me or Mark played.
(5)
I had no way of knowing that then. I realize now the potential financial implications because football is far more business-oriented than when me or Mark played.
(5)
There was no malice on my part.
Mark was a great player.
My understanding is he’s a great guy and a fun teammate, a guy who played with the kind of joy and passion I tried to mimic. I understand his frustration, but I’m not his enemy.
A while back, he saw me at a card show and got his frustration off his chest.
It’s not the kind of moment that should be filmed and released. It was a private moment of frustration between two old football warriors.
(6)
Mark was a great player.
My understanding is he’s a great guy and a fun teammate, a guy who played with the kind of joy and passion I tried to mimic. I understand his frustration, but I’m not his enemy.
A while back, he saw me at a card show and got his frustration off his chest.
It’s not the kind of moment that should be filmed and released. It was a private moment of frustration between two old football warriors.
(6)
I have a great deal of respect for Mark.
I hope one day he joins me in the Hall of Fame.
He earned it. Look at his numbers.
He eclipsed 20 sacks twice and had 19 in another year!
(7)
I hope one day he joins me in the Hall of Fame.
He earned it. Look at his numbers.
He eclipsed 20 sacks twice and had 19 in another year!
(7)
Mark definitely left an indelible mark on the game.
I hope this controversy brings attention to just how great Mark Gastineau was.
He belongs in Canton.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
Brett.
I hope this controversy brings attention to just how great Mark Gastineau was.
He belongs in Canton.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
Brett.
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