When the defense tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage for a loss.
The NFL made the sack statistic official in 1982.
Hall of Fame player Deacon Jones coined the term "sack".
50
Incentive pay - such as a set price per sack - is considered illegal by the NFL and any contract with those types of pay incentives are not approved by the league.
Michael Strahan with 22.5 sacks
The NFL made the sack statistic official in 1982.
Hall of Fame player Deacon Jones coined the term "sack".
50
Incentive pay - such as a set price per sack - is considered illegal by the NFL and any contract with those types of pay incentives are not approved by the league.
MICHAEL STRAHAN 2001 Season with 22.5 Sacks
Bruce Smith is the NFL all-time sack leader, with 200.
Michael Strahan with 22.5 sacks
The forward progress of the quarterback, which is usually where a quarterback starts moving backwards.
No. This rule only exists in the NFL.
Through the 2010 season that would be Bruce Smith with 200. Reggie White is second with 198.
In the NFL, a sack is recorded when a defensive player tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage while he is attempting to pass. The play is counted as a loss of yardage for the offense, and the defensive player who makes the tackle is credited with the sack. Sacks are an important statistic for assessing a player’s impact on defense. Additionally, the total number of sacks by a player can influence awards and contract negotiations.
Randall Cunningham was sacked 72 times during the 1986 NFL season while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles. This remains one of the highest single-season sack totals in NFL history. His ability to evade pressure and make plays with his legs was a hallmark of his playing style, even amid such high sack numbers.