Abdul Salaam was a defensive tackle for the N.Y. Jets in the 1980s, best known as part of the team’s feared and respected New York Sack Exchange foursome that included Mark Gastineau, Marty Lyons, and Joe Klecko.
- Died: October 8, 2024 (Who else died on October 8?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 71.
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Abdul Salaam’s legacy
Born Larry Faulk, Salaam was a business major playing for Kent State University when he began his climb towards NFL stardom. After making the All-Mid-American Conference for three consecutive years, the defensive tackle was drafted by the New York Jets in 1976, joining a team that subsequently had a dismal 3-11 record two years in a row.
The tide began to turn in ‘79, however, when the squad added Mark Gastineau and Marty Lyons to a lineup that already boasted Salaam and Joe Klecko, who was drafted the year before. The foursome became known as the New York Sack Exchange, a feared defensive line that helped turn the Jets into real contenders. In 1981, they had a combined 66 sacks, a franchise record. This performance helped lead the team to their first NFL playoff appearance since 1969. They repeated the feat in 1982.
However, Salaam’s time with the Sack Exchange only lasted a few years. He played just one game in 1983, the season’s final. In 1984, he was traded to the San Diego Chargers, but did not play, retiring soon after.
Abdul Salaam means “soldier of peace,” a name he adopted in 1977 because he was seeking greater serenity for himself.
Tributes to Abdul Salaam
Full obituary: ESPN
