Why isn't Mark Gastineau in the HOF?

[Brian wolf]

Nielson was so pale looking I figured she was at least strawberry blonde ... haha

[NWebster]

He's certainly HOVG and in my mind should at least be discussed as HOF - though he never really is.

There are lots of strikes against him.
- Loses a lot of sacks to the pre'82 era
- His teammates hated him, publically so
- Opponents hated him, publically so, the dancing was offputting
- I think even the public viewed him as a "Me" guy and there was truth in that
- He retired too soon to pile up more sack numbers
- He was sharing a spotlight with LT
- Use of steroids, he denied it but then blamed it for his spousal abuse

That said.
- He was not as bad against the run as is often made out and did operate within what the scheme asked of him
- 3 Time 1st Team AP All Pro
- Best pass rusher of the early 80's
- Official single season sack record holder for ~15 years

[rewing84]

He's certainly HOVG and in my mind should at least be discussed as HOF - though he never really is.

There are lots of strikes against him.
- Loses a lot of sacks to the pre'82 era
- His teammates hated him, publically so
- Opponents hated him, publically so, the dancing was offputting
- I think even the public viewed him as a "Me" guy and there was truth in that
- He retired too soon to pile up more sack numbers
- He was sharing a spotlight with LT
- Use of steroids, he denied it but then blamed it for his spousal abuse

That said.
- He was not as bad against the run as is often made out and did operate within what the scheme asked of him
- 3 Time 1st Team AP All Pro
- Best pass rusher of the early 80's
- Official single season sack record holder for ~15 years

here are three that stick out to me
Loses a lot of sacks to the pre'82 era
He retired too soon to pile up more sack numbers
He was sharing a spotlight with LT

[racepug]

He was sharing a spotlight with LT

I still remember the SI cover (from around 1984 - give or take a year, I think) with both of them on the cover, stating that in N.Y., the Jets had been, were at the time, and always would play second fiddle to the Giants.

[rewing84]

He was sharing a spotlight with LT

I still remember the SI cover (from around 1984 - give or take a year, I think) with both of them on the cover, stating that in N.Y., the Jets had been, were at the time, and always would play second fiddle to the Giants.

it was 1986