• Brett Favre released a lengthy statement to “clear the air” about his feud with former New York Jets player Mark Gastineau
• Gastineau accused Favre of taking a “jump” so his friend Michael Strahan could surpass Gastineau’s record for most sacks – and believes that’s why he was left out of the Hall of Fame
• Favre explained his side and advocated for Gastineau to be inducted into the Hall of Fame

Brett Favre wants to clear the air about his feud with former Jets defenseman Mark Gastineau — who accuses Favre of costing him his spot in the Hall of Fame.

Favre, 55, explained his side – and even advocated for Gastineau, 68, to secure a spot in the Hall – in a lengthy message on social media on Tuesday, December 10, following a viral clip from the ESPN’s upcoming 30 for 30 documentary, The New York Sack Exchange, showed a tense interaction between the two.

The feud between the former NFL players dates back to 2002. Gastineau, who played in the 1980s and once held the league record for most sacks in a season, saw his record broken by Michael Strahan in 2001-02. Strahan’s best win of the season was dismissed this year against his friend Favre, who Gastineau accused of intentionally taking a “jump” to secure Strahan’s record.

In the 30 for 30 clip about a confrontation between the two in 2023, Gastineau tells a surprised Favre, “You hurt me” and reminds him of “when you fell in love with (Strahan).”

Favre released his statement on the incident on December 10th

“I would like to clear the air about the footage released showing a minor argument between me and former New York Jet Mark Gastineau,” Favre began. “When Michael Strahan fired me in 2002 at the end of a game we were finishing, I didn’t mean to hurt Mark Gastineau.”

Favre, who announced in September that he was battling Parkinson’s disease, said during the 2002 game that he was “trying to finish a game and squeeze the last bit of fun out of a hard-fought game.” “I got out of a run because I thought it was wide open, saw Strahan standing there and ducked.”

The former Packers star continued, “In another game or situation, I would have made greater efforts to avoid the sack or the TFL,” but in the 2002 game in question, “at no time did I consider injuring Gastineau.” .”

Favre further admitted, “I understand how Gastineau feels” and sympathizes with the former Jets star because Gastineau “played in a time when guys weren’t making generational wealth.”

“I now see how the role of Sack King would increase his value at card shows, strengthen his case for the Hall of Fame, and increase his demand as a public speaker,” Favre wrote, admitting that he “couldn’t have known this at the time. “”

“I am now aware of the possible financial impact because football is far more business-oriented than when me or Mark played,” Favre added.

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Beyond his apology, Favre even said that Gastineau’s stats should have earned him a spot in the Canton, Ohio, Football Hall of Fame.

“I have a lot of respect for Mark. I hope he gets inducted into the Hall of Fame one day this year!”

Favre specifically referenced the viral clip of his tense meeting with Gastineau in 2023, saying it was “not the kind of moment that should be filmed and released.”

“It was a private moment of frustration between two old football warriors,” Favre wrote.