ESPN is taking stock of The New York Sack Exchange for its next 30 for 30 investment. The sports cabler said today that ESPN Films‘ tale of the storied early-’80s New York Jets defensive line will premiere on December 13. Watch the trailer below.
The year was 1981: A president and a pope survived assassins, gas cost about a buck-thirty and “Don’t Stop Believin’” was Top 10. And a phenomenon was sweeping the NFL. The Jets’ front four of Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons and Abdul Salaam — all of whom the team drafted during the 1970s — led the league with 66 quarterback sacks and became stars.
Narrated by lifelong Jets fan Method Man, the film directed by Ken Rodgers and James Weiner takes a nostalgic look back at the Sack Exchange sensation. This group of larger-than-life personalities not only terrorized quarterbacks but captivated a city with their flamboyant style and relentless drive.
Gastineau, in particular, was noted for his wild “sack dance” after dispatching opposing QBs. It drove rivals and other teams’ fans nuts but was manna for the faithful.
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“The New York Sack Exchange captures a defining era in New York Jets history, showcasing the grit, camaraderie and larger-than-life personalities that made this defensive line legendary,” Rodgers said. “This film offers a poignant reflection on a team that inspired a city and left an enduring legacy on the game.”
Added Weiner: “Football is the ultimate team sport, where every unit must work in unison, but units are made up of individuals with different personalities — and what happens when they can’t figure out how to get along?”
The New York Sack Exchange will stream on ESPN+ following its cable premiere.
