Gastineau was never a sympathetic character. In fact, he was a giant d-bag (and I was a Jets fan.) His sack dances were not only unnecessary, they were awkward and embarrassing looking. It didn’t help that he sported a mullet (still does.)
But that doesn’t mean I’m not saddened to hear that he is very ill. I wish him well.
But I do have to say something. Gastineau is blaming football, and football alone, for his illnesses. Concussions do contribute to neurological diseases, for sure, but so does being a boxer. That little tidbit was left out of Gastineau’s announcement. He turned pro boxer after he retired from football.
Despite his 15-2 record (there were fight fixing allegations bandied about at the time) he was an awkward and unremarkable brawler who took lots of punches. Some say he stunk.
Here are some screenshots of Gastineau’s work in the ring-
Getting knocked goofy.
The patented “turn and run and getting punched in the face anyway” Gastineau maneuver.
Not a lot of these positions in a pro boxer’s scrap book. Gastineau developed a cauliflower back.
Probably a more vicious blow right here than he ever received in football.
How this is overlooked and not at all mentioned as a contributor to his problems is not great reporting.
Blame his mom, she’s just as complicit. If he’s nice, she might make him a sammitch.
I hate whiners looking for free money.
Football and boxing? And the guy attributes football as the cause of his mental/physiological/neuropathology?
How about stupidity? Sounds like a porn actor complaining about getting an STD.
A dear family member of mine died of Parkinson’s but they never played football.
Ditto JM. Of all the folks tragically struck with either Parkinsons or Alzheimer’s we’ve known, not one of them was involved in activities related to getting melons thumped. Most victims we know are women.
I believe there was some substance abuse thrown in the mix over the years as well. Is he suing someone? NFL? A combination of all of the above could render a legal victory impossible.
I’ve known numerous men and women his age 61 with alzhiemers/dementia that didn’t play football. . Several died by early 60s.
Sounds like his momma dropped him on his head a few times as well
“…..cauliflower back.”! Bwaaaaahahahahahahahhahahahahahah ..erp!
“Speaking the truth in times of universal deceit is a revolutionary act.” Geo. Orwell
He could always play an Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer in Geico commercials.
“Boxing? I’ll get back to ya…”
Why blame his time with the NFL?
When you want a big pay day – you blame and sue the party with the deepest pockets.
Even Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer knows this.
The reporter is complicit in this scheme now.
P.S. I laughed when my lawyer friend told I was sue-proof about 20 years ago. Whaaa?
Then the realization of what that meant sank in.
I believe there are studies linking Parkinson’s to cocaine. It was the 80’s, just saying.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/12/051214084800.htm
Mullet? Say no more!
Way back when I used to watch the NFL, GASTINEAU was a complete asshole. It appears nothing has changed.
GASTINEAU knew the risks of making the BIG bucks and national notoriety in the NFL. To date there is no connection between Parkinson’s and football. If there were, his decision, he took the risk and he pays the consequences.
Or maybe this is Karma for being an asshole for most of your life.
So how many years did Michael J. Fox play football?
Micheal J Fox blamed Deloreans and Flux Capacitors
Wasn’t Gastenau the guy who was sitting next to Sandra Day O’Conner at a Whitehouse dinner, who said to her “loosen up, Sandy; you’re too uptight”?
From what I’ve been reading, the Keto diet looks real promising for control and reversal of symtoms of both of those diseases.
Wasn’t it the mandatory testing for steroids that forced Gastenau into early retirement?
@ Tony R,
Wasn’t that John Riggins?
“Speaking the truth in times of universal deceit is a revolutionary act.” Geo. Orwell
I listen to talk radio a lot in the car where I hear Mark G speaking of the benefits of the B-of-N F/V capsule products. So, mullet and this. I hope he feels better.
@Crackerbaby, it WAS John Riggins.
I’m sorry for Gastineau’s problems. I had a cousin with similar problems (Dave Duerson). But to not include boxing as well is disingenuous and misleading.
Thanks crackerbaby and TommyBoy, I stand corrected; it was John Riggins.
Gastineau; Once a gasbag, always a gasbag? So far, yes.