One of the most significant records in NFL history is the all-time single-season sack mark.
New York Giants legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan logged 22.5 sacks in 2002 when he tackled Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre in the final game of the year.
That moment became controversial when fans and pundits pointed out that it appeared Favre went down easy so that Strahan could break the record.
January 6, 2002: Michael Strahan breaks the single-season sack record after “sacking” Brett Favre for his 22.5 sack on the season.
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) January 7, 2024
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One person in particular is still upset about it to this day and spoke to ESPN about it for an upcoming "30 for 30" documentary.
Former New York Jets defensive end Mark Gastineau, whose record (22 sacks in 1984) Strahan broke, accuses Favre of taking "a dive" to aid in the ex-Giant's pursuance of greatness.
"Anybody will tell you Brett Favre took a dive," Gastineau said during an interview for the documentary, as shared by ESPN on Tuesday. "...The NFL should have stopped that and said, 'No, no, no, no, no, no, no, that's not a sack.' He took my record away from me."
Gastineau, who was present at The Meadowlands when Strahan broke his record and congratulated him post-game, is still so heated about the controversy that he confronted Favre in-person and on-camera in 2023.
He traveled to a memorabilia show where Favre was signing autographs and gave him a piece of his mind in a clip released by ESPN.
22 years after losing the NFL single-season sack record, Mark Gastineau confronted Brett Favre for ‘taking a dive’ on the record-breaking play.
— ESPN (@espn) December 10, 2024
Catch the latest @30for30, 'The New York Sack Exchange,' on ESPN and ESPN+ starting Dec. 13. pic.twitter.com/Oz5KRwVcy7
"I'm going to get my sack back," Gastineau told a clearly stunned Favre. "I'm going to get my sack back, dude."
Favre replied with, "You probably would hurt me."
"I don't care," Gastineau retorted. "You hurt me ... Do you hear me? You really hurt me, Brett."
Favre was then escorted away from the situation by staff on-hand at the event.
It's unclear (but unlikely) if the NFL will review Strahan's sack record 22 years after he set it despite Gastineau's complaints.
And even if it did overturn Strahan's accomplishment, Gastineau would still be No. 2 all-time because of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt's achievement in 2021 when he tied Strahan's record with 22.5 sacks himself.
The "30 for 30" documentary titled "The New York Sack Exchange" will air Dec. 13 on the network and stream on ESPN+.
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