Former New York Jets defensive lineman Abdul Salaam passed away at age 71, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
Sad news: Former Jets DT Abdul Salaam, a member of the famed NY Sack Exchange, passed away yesterday, his wife, Debbie, told ESPN. Salaam was 71 and had been battling health issues. He played with the #Jets from 76-83 and teamed with Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko and Marty Lyons to…
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) October 9, 2024
Salaam was a member of the famed New York Sack Exchange defensive line. Along with Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko, and Marty Lyons, he terrorized NFL offenses during the early 1980s. The four played together from 1979-83, although the other three played together until 1987.
The Jets selected Salaam in the seventh round of the 1976 NFL draft. He played with the Jets from 1976-83, never appearing in a game for another team in his career. He posted 21.0 sacks in 97 games. His best season came in 1981 when he recorded seven (unofficial) sacks as a part of the Jets’ NFL-leading 66 sacks.
Gastineau remembered his old teammate in comments to ESPN. “I feel like I lost my best friend,” he said. “If it wasn’t for Abdul, I wouldn’t have made it. He helped me through everything.”
Lyons added, “He was well-respected in the locker room, loved by his teammates. His name said it all: Soldier of Peace. He was so soft-spoken, but he was a big part of what we accomplished.”
Salaam was also referred to as the “Quiet Philosopher.”
Over the summer, Salaam joined his fellow Sack Exchange members at the New York Stock Exchange to film an ESPN ’30 for 30′ documentary. The documentary is set to explore the often tumultuous relationships between the players and their successes and failures on and off the field.
Salaam leaves behind a legacy of respect on and off the field.
