Legendary NFL defensive lineman Mark Gastineau has sued ESPN for $25million over the sports network airing a clip of his argument with Brett Favre from 2023 as part of a documentary. 

Gastineau did confront the longtime Green Bay Packers quarterback two summers ago at the 2023 at the Chicago Sports Spectacular, where he accused Favre of ‘taking a dive’ to allow Michael Strahan to become the NFL’s single-season sack record holder. 

Favre was the quarterback the current Good Morning America host took down in 2001 to put his name into the record books and overtaking Gastineau, who held the record since 1984. 

Gastineau says he was portrayed ‘maliciously false’ in the clip of the spat, and it aired on ESPN ‘without his consent or permission.’ 

The ‘New York Sack Exchange’ member is seeking $25million in damages from the sports network and his perceived portrayal has led him to be ‘attacked on social media.’ 

The lawsuit also maintains that ESPN ‘intentionally and maliciously did not publish’ parts of the heated conversation with Favre that were integral to the incident. 

Legendary NFL defensive lineman and Jets star Mark Gastineau has sued ESPN for $25million

Gastineau said he was not portrayed fairly during the airing of his 2023 argument with Favre 

Favre was the quarterback to take Strahan’s sack that broke Gastineau’s single-season record

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When Gastineau signed onto participate in the ESPN documentary last January, he claimed that part of the agreement was he had approval of any changes to the final product. He also says he was unaware of any clip being used, per the New York Post.

After the documentary aired, Favre defended Gastineau in a rare look back at the infamous play. 

‘In retrospect, I understand how Gastineau feels. We played a brutal game. Gastineau played during an era where guys didn’t make generational wealth,’ Favre said on X. 

‘I see now how being the Sack King would elevate his value at card shows, strengthen his case for the Hall of Fame, increase his demand as a public speaker. I had no way of knowing that then. I realize now the potential financial implications because football is far more business-oriented than when me or Mark played.’

Strahan’s single-season sack record still stands today, although Steelers star TJ Watt tied the 22.5 mark in 2021. 

Gastineau also has since been tied by Jared Allen and Justin Houston with 22 sacks in a season. 

Gastineau was part of the Jets ‘New York Sack Exchange’ defensive line with Joe Klecko, Abdul Salaam, and Marty Lyons.