Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: NFL defensive end for New York Jets 1979-1988. Also played four games in Canadian Football League. Once held NFL record for most quarterback sacks with 107.5. NFL Defensive Player of the Year 1982.
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 266
DOB: November 20, 1956 In: Ardmore, OK
Childhood Heroes: You know, I used to be into team rope so… Walt Garrison, Larry Mahan, Lee Camarillo. I was in rodeo, so I didn’t have many football heroes. I was born and raised on a ranch.
Nicknames: Man… Sack Man… Sack King. But now now. I turned it over (to Michael Strahan, who broke his record in 2001). There’s a new one in town [laughs]. I told Michael, ‘You’re a unique person. Stay that way.’
Early Football Memory: I was scared to death. I wasn’t that good of a ball player when I first started (age 16).
Greatest Sports Moment: Probably not getting the sack record but seeing somebody that has the sack record, honestly. Gonna carry it on and do something that’s gonna be good with it. And when I was drafted (into NFL in second round 41st overall). I could not believe it.
Most Painful Moment: Anterior cruciate. (Against who?) Man, we’re going way back now. Against the Colts. And it was really, really painful. I was just shoved to the outside. I was overweight, I was 300 pounds.
Pre-Game Feeling: Think about sacks. Getting sacks. They’re very hard to come by. And it’s something. When you have a record like that and you have three guys that are coming after you – and are trying to put you out of the game – sometimes you’re singled and doubled, three guys coming on you. Getting a sack like that – it’s something that’s incredible.
Toughest Competitors Encountered: Ask me the toughest interview. Right now [laughs].
Childhood Dreams: Rodeo. People thought that nothing would happen after high school football. I got a half scholarship to Eastern Arizona Junior College and earned All American. Then transferred to Arizona State and then to East Central Oklahoma State University (27 total sacks in college). I started getting confidence after getting stronger lifting weights. My father Ernie also helped me a lot. When you have somebody behind you saying that you can do it – you start believing in yourself and start doing it. That’s one thing, my dad was optimistic. You can do it. He’d be up there arguing, fighting when people said I couldn’t do it.
Embarrassing Football Memory: Somebody put shit in my sandwich when I was on the Jets. Uggh.
Closest NFL Friends: Abdul Salaam. We were like brothers.
People Qualities Most Admired: Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.
Interesting Facts: Mark Gastineau was also a professional heavyweight boxer from 1991-1996 and he compiled a pro record of 15-2-1. His final fight was a loss to former NFL running back Alonzo Highsmith.
