If there was any doubt about Boomer Esiason’s feelings toward former New York Jets defensive end Mark Gastineau, the ex-NFL quarterback has laid them to rest in no uncertain terms. Speaking on WFAN’s Boomer & Gio show, Esiason unleashed a fiery tirade against the Jets legend, recalling personal grievances and calling out Gastineau’s on-field conduct.
The Confrontation That Sparked It All
The drama stems from a heated moment captured in ESPN’s latest 30 for 30 documentary, The New York Sack Exchange. In the film, Gastineau is shown confronting Brett Favre during a 2023 memorabilia event. The clash revolved around Gastineau’s longstanding claim that Favre had intentionally “taken a dive” to help Michael Strahan break Gastineau’s single-season sack record in 2001.
Favre has acknowledged that the thought of helping Strahan may have crossed his mind, but he stopped short of admitting to any wrongdoing. Gastineau, however, was less forgiving, accusing Favre outright of compromising the integrity of the game.
RELATED: Brett Favre Breaks Silence on Viral Exchange with Mark Gastineau About Michael Strahan Sack Record
Esiason’s Unfiltered Take
While Favre stayed diplomatic, Esiason didn’t hold back. The former Bengals quarterback has his own history with Gastineau, and it’s clear the animosity runs deep.
“I can’t stand the guy,” Esiason said. “The guy was a dirty, cheap-shot son of a bitch, as far as I’m concerned. I know this because he was on an elevator at The Westin in Cincinnati, telling my buddies, ‘You tell your boy, Boomer, to call an ambulance because he’s going down.’ And he was trying to cheap-shot me the whole damn game. So, screw him—that’s what I’ll say.”
Esiason went on to express understanding for Gastineau’s frustration over the sack record situation, but his personal disdain for the player was evident.
“I knew Gastineau would be pissed about the whole Favre-Strahan thing because, honestly, it looked exactly like a dive,” he added. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I have zero respect for the way he played the game.”
A Reputation for Controversy
Gastineau, a key member of the Jets’ famed “New York Sack Exchange,” was a polarizing figure throughout his career. Known for his flashy celebrations and relentless pass rush, he was equally infamous for his questionable hits and perceived lack of teamwork.
Esiason elaborated on this reputation, saying:
“This guy was dirty. If you ask his teammates, they’ll tell you. He was a loner, all about himself—not about the team or the ‘Sack Exchange.’ It was always about Mark Gastineau.”
Esiason drew a sharp contrast between Gastineau and other members of the Jets’ legendary defensive line, such as Joe Klecko and Marty Lyons, whom he praised for their professionalism and team-first mentality.
The “Brotherhood” of Football
For Esiason, the issue with Gastineau wasn’t just about his personal grievances but also about what he saw as a betrayal of the unwritten “brotherhood” of football. While acknowledging the physical nature of the game, Esiason argued that there’s a line between playing hard and playing dirty.
“I’ve always believed there’s a brotherhood among players,” he said. “You try to intimidate, you hit hard, but you don’t deliberately try to hurt someone. Gastineau crossed that line repeatedly.”
Sympathy for the Sack Record Controversy
Despite his disdain for Gastineau, Esiason admitted to sympathizing with the defensive end over the sack record controversy.
“I remember when all that went down. Brett Favre annoyed his own offensive linemen by doing that,” Esiason said. “If I ever pulled something like that, Anthony Muñoz or Dave Rimington would have been in my face immediately.”
The Documentary Spotlight
Gastineau’s confrontation with Favre, as well as his controversial legacy, takes center stage in The New York Sack Exchange. The film chronicles the rise of the Jets’ iconic defensive line and delves into the personalities that made it legendary—and divisive.
For fans looking to witness the explosive exchange between Gastineau and Favre, as well as learn more about the history of one of the NFL’s most memorable defenses, the documentary premieres Friday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+.
