NFL News: Fearsome Jets Lineman From 1970s and 1980s Passes Away

The late 1970s and early 1980s were hardly a heyday for the New York Jets franchise. Their defensive line, however, was regarded as one of the most fearsome in the NFL during the era.

Abdul Salaam was a key part of that unit, nicknamed the “New York Sack Exchange.” Salaam died at age 71 on Tuesday.

His widow, Debbie, told ESPN on Wednesday that Salaam was battling multiple health issues.

From 1976-83, Salaam frustrated quarterbacks at defensive tackle on a famed unit with teammates Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons, and Mark Gastineau.

On Aug. 29, 2007, the quartet reunited in New York to ring the actual opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange in honor of the start of a new NFL season. According to the AP, they also reunited this past summer to film interviews for ESPN’s upcoming “30 for 30” documentary on the Jets’ foursome.

“I feel like I lost my best friend,” Gastineau told ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “If it wasn’t for Abdul, I wouldn’t have made it. He helped me through everything.”

Salaam was known as Larry Faulk when he was drafted by the Jets out of Kent State University in the seventh round of the 1976 draft. A native of New Brockton, Alabama, Salaam converted to Islam and adopted his new name in 1977.

Along with Gastineau, Lyons, and Klecko, the Jets’ D-line would achieve fame in an era when they won only two playoff games, both in 1983, during Salaam’s time on the team.

Klecko, who recorded 77 sacks from 1977-88, would go on to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Lyons won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 1984, highlighting an 11-year career.

“It’s a sad day when you hear one of your teammates, Abdul Salaam, has passed away,” Lyons said in a video message on his Twitter/X account. “Abdul, on behalf of all your teammates, the Jets organization, and the fans, thank you for making us better players, thank you for making us better individuals.

In 1982, Salaam’s final season, the Jets advanced to the AFC Championship before losing 14-0 to the Miami Dolphins.

The Jets set a franchise record with 66 sacks — including a career-high seven by Salaam — during the 1981 season, the year before individual sacks became an official statistic.

Salaam was traded to the San Diego Chargers in 1984, but never played for them. He instead chose to retire and spent many years in his hometown of Cincinnati where, according to the Jets, he became an officer and a football coach in the local school district.

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