Jason Gildon
Encyclopedia
Jason Larue Gildon is a former linebacker
for the National Football League
's Pittsburgh Steelers
(1994–2003) and Jacksonville Jaguars
(2004). He was selected to three Pro Bowl
teams from 2000, 2001, and 2002, and is currently the Steelers all-time career sacks
leader with 77.0 quarterback take-downs. Gildon is an Oklahoma State University alum.
Gildon played a large role on the Steelers special teams unit during his first two years before being inserted into the starting lineup
in 1996, after All-Pro pass-rusher Greg Lloyd went down in the season opener with a torn knee ligament. Gildon turned in 7.0 sacks in 1996 and had landed a permanent spot on the outside.
1997 saw Gildon lineup opposite Lloyd after returning and recorded 5.0 sacks, 53 tackles, 12 passes defensed, and 1 defensive touchdown. Gildon was most remembered in 1997 for recovering a Drew Bledsoe
fumble
late into the Steelers 1997 Divisional Playoff match-up against the New England Patriots
; the Steelers would win this game 7-6 thanks to Gildon securing the ball, preventing a possible Patriots field goal
or touchdown.
Over the course of the 1998
and 1999
seasons, Gildon would rack up a total of 19.5 sacks and 109 tackles. However, the Steelers stumbled to records of 7-9 and 6-10, respectively, and would miss the playoffs.
The 2000 Steelers season
was Gildon's break-out year. He would amass 13.5 sacks, 75 tackles, and 1 defensive touchdown, and was the anchor of a Steelers defense that helped the team record its first winning season in three years. Now teamed up with young outside linebacker Joey Porter
, many speculated that the Steelers had their best pair of pass-rushing linebackers since Lloyd and Kevin Greene
from the mid-90s. Gildon capped off an impressive season with his first Pro Bowl
berth.
In 2001, the Steelers finally made their way back to the playoffs and Gildon kept up his charge. He would record 12.0 sacks, score his third career defensive touchdown, and pull down his first career interception against the Cincinnati Bengals
. He was named to his second Pro-Bowl, but his dreams and that of the Steelers' of getting to the Super Bowl were erased after a defeat to the Patriots in the 2001 AFC Championship Game.
Gildon made his third and final Pro Bowl team in 2002 while his numbers decreased a bit. He had 9.0 sacks, his lowest total since 1999. Gildon had reached age 30 while Porter finished 2002 as the Steelers co-MVP and new defensive leader.
2003
was Gildon's last season with the Steelers, who had finished the year 6-10. However, for Gildon, there was one of item of accomplishment ahead for him - the Steelers' all-time career sack record. He started the season with 71.0, needing just 3.0 sacks to pass L. C. Greenwood
. During a game against the Arizona Cardinals
, Gildon brought the home crowd to its feet one last time when he sacked Cardinals quarterback Jeff Blake
in the third quarter to surpass Greenwood. Gildon's name was at last atop the Steelers record books.
Gildon was a member of the Buffalo Bills
during the 2004 training camp, but he was cut two weeks into camp. Mid-way through the 2004 season
, the Jacksonville Jaguars
signed Gildon to their roster, who needed help at defensive end
. Gildon answered their challenge and contributed 3.0 sacks, including one against his former team on December 5, 2004.
For his career, Gildon finished with 80.0 sacks, 520 tackles, 44 passes defensed, 2 interceptions, and 3 defensive touchdowns. Gildon wore #92 for the Steelers and #56 for the Jaguars. He is also the older brother of Tennessee Titans
defensive end Larry Birdine
.
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
(1994–2003) and Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(2004). He was selected to three Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
teams from 2000, 2001, and 2002, and is currently the Steelers all-time career sacks
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
leader with 77.0 quarterback take-downs. Gildon is an Oklahoma State University alum.
Gildon played a large role on the Steelers special teams unit during his first two years before being inserted into the starting lineup
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
in 1996, after All-Pro pass-rusher Greg Lloyd went down in the season opener with a torn knee ligament. Gildon turned in 7.0 sacks in 1996 and had landed a permanent spot on the outside.
1997 saw Gildon lineup opposite Lloyd after returning and recorded 5.0 sacks, 53 tackles, 12 passes defensed, and 1 defensive touchdown. Gildon was most remembered in 1997 for recovering a Drew Bledsoe
Drew Bledsoe
Drew McQueen Bledsoe is a former football quarterback in the National Football League, best known as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots from 1993-2001. During the 1990s, he was considered the face of the Patriots franchise...
fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
late into the Steelers 1997 Divisional Playoff match-up against the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
; the Steelers would win this game 7-6 thanks to Gildon securing the ball, preventing a possible Patriots field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
or touchdown.
Over the course of the 1998
1998 Pittsburgh Steelers season
The 1998 season marked the first time since 1991 that the Steelers failed to reach the playoffs. Pittsburgh finished 7–9 after starting the season 5–2, losing their last five games to knock themselves out of the playoffs...
and 1999
1999 Pittsburgh Steelers season
For the second consecutive season the Steelers failed to make the playoffs after starting off the season by winning 5 of their first 8 games. Losing seven of the remaining eight dropped Pittsburgh to 6–10 for the year, their worst record under Bill Cowher....
seasons, Gildon would rack up a total of 19.5 sacks and 109 tackles. However, the Steelers stumbled to records of 7-9 and 6-10, respectively, and would miss the playoffs.
The 2000 Steelers season
2000 Pittsburgh Steelers season
The 2000 Pittsburgh Steelers season began with the team trying to improve on their 6–10 record from 1999 in which they failed to qualify for the playoffs. While Pittsburgh did improve to 9–7 and had their first winning season since 1997, it was not enough for the team to qualify for the playoffs...
was Gildon's break-out year. He would amass 13.5 sacks, 75 tackles, and 1 defensive touchdown, and was the anchor of a Steelers defense that helped the team record its first winning season in three years. Now teamed up with young outside linebacker Joey Porter
Joey Porter
Joseph "Joey" Eugene Porter is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Colorado State.A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Porter earned a...
, many speculated that the Steelers had their best pair of pass-rushing linebackers since Lloyd and Kevin Greene
Kevin Greene
Kevin Darwin Greene is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League for 15 years and who retired after the 1999 NFL season...
from the mid-90s. Gildon capped off an impressive season with his first Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
berth.
In 2001, the Steelers finally made their way back to the playoffs and Gildon kept up his charge. He would record 12.0 sacks, score his third career defensive touchdown, and pull down his first career interception against the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
. He was named to his second Pro-Bowl, but his dreams and that of the Steelers' of getting to the Super Bowl were erased after a defeat to the Patriots in the 2001 AFC Championship Game.
Gildon made his third and final Pro Bowl team in 2002 while his numbers decreased a bit. He had 9.0 sacks, his lowest total since 1999. Gildon had reached age 30 while Porter finished 2002 as the Steelers co-MVP and new defensive leader.
2003
2003 Pittsburgh Steelers season
The 2003 Pittsburgh Steelers season began with the team trying to improve on their 10–5–1 record from 2002 in which they lost to the Tennessee Titans in the Divisional round of the playoffs....
was Gildon's last season with the Steelers, who had finished the year 6-10. However, for Gildon, there was one of item of accomplishment ahead for him - the Steelers' all-time career sack record. He started the season with 71.0, needing just 3.0 sacks to pass L. C. Greenwood
L. C. Greenwood
L.C. Henderson Greenwood is a former American football defensive end for the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers.-College career:...
. During a game against the Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Gildon brought the home crowd to its feet one last time when he sacked Cardinals quarterback Jeff Blake
Jeff Blake
Jeff Bertrand Coleman Blake is a retired American football quarterback who played in the National Football League. Although he finished his career with the Chicago Bears, he was formerly a quarterback for the New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Arizona...
in the third quarter to surpass Greenwood. Gildon's name was at last atop the Steelers record books.
Gildon was a member of the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
during the 2004 training camp, but he was cut two weeks into camp. Mid-way through the 2004 season
2004 NFL season
The 2004 NFL season was the 85th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 9, 2004 to January 2, 2005...
, the Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
signed Gildon to their roster, who needed help at defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
. Gildon answered their challenge and contributed 3.0 sacks, including one against his former team on December 5, 2004.
For his career, Gildon finished with 80.0 sacks, 520 tackles, 44 passes defensed, 2 interceptions, and 3 defensive touchdowns. Gildon wore #92 for the Steelers and #56 for the Jaguars. He is also the older brother of Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
defensive end Larry Birdine
Larry Birdine
Larry Birdine is an Canadian football defensive end for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
.
See also
- Most consecutive starts by a left outside linebacker