Jets Win, 43-24, and Go Their Separate Ways : Gastineau, Hamilton Say They Won’t Honor Strike and Will Cross Picket Line

The New York Jets want to play more football. Some of them are willing to cross a picket line to do it.

The Jets routed the New England Patriots, 43-24, Monday night in the last National Football League game before the players went on strike. Several Jets, including defensive end Mark Gastineau and safety Harry Hamilton, said they would not honor the strike.

“Right now, I feel like I’ve put a lot of work in in the off-season,” Gastineau said. “To give up on it now is against my judgment. I want to play, that’s why I reported to camp.”

Hamilton didn’t say he would play but is willing to train replacements.

“If management will have me coach or break down films or prepare them to achieve a professional level, I’ll do it,” he said.

The luster of the Jets’ victory, built on a 37-point second half and sparked by Al Toon’s 58-yard touchdown reception, was lost in the immediacy of the strike. NFL Players Assn. Executive Director Gene Upshaw said at halftime that the walkout would begin after the Jets-Patriots game ended.

“Everything was coming together tonight, it was a matter of teamwork,” said linebacker Bob Crable, who had two sacks and was a defensive standout. “This team played like a team, stood together.”

Apparently, it won’t be standing together in support of the walkout, however.

“These 45 guys have done everything to be professionals,” Hamilton said. “I think we’ll all respect the decisions we have to make.”

Defensive end Marty Lyons agreed that the togetherness the team has built won’t disappear with the strike.

“I hope there is no animosity among the players,” he said. “There is a major decision they have to make. You’ve got to respect a man for what he decides to do for himself and his family.

“When the strike is over, we’ve got to come back in with the same relationship, with no grudge for what someone else has done.”

The Patriots seemed more united.

“All the players are ready to go,” running back Craig James said. “We are a strong team. We don’t want a strike, but the repercussions would be tremendous.

“We’ll all be back in the huddle some day.”

The Jets came back from halftime with a strong third quarter as Johnny Hector added runs of five and nine yards to Toon’s score.

Toon, an All-Pro wide receiver last year, outjumped cornerback Raymond Clayborn at the Patriots’ 35, grabbed the pass from Ken O’Brien and broke Clayborn’s tackle to score.

Four plays later, Tony Collins fumbled, and New York’s Russell Carter recovered on the 30.

O’Brien, who had a streak of 13 straight completions in the game, passed 16 yards to Toon, who finished with 89 yards on 3 catches. Two plays later, Hector swept into the end zone for a 20-3 lead.

New England, which had only 17 yards on offense in the decisive third period, got a break when New York rookie Roger Vick fumbled, and Andre Tippett returned the turnover 32 yards for a touchdown.

Unfazed, the Jets came right back. JoJo Townsell ran 60 yards with the kickoff to the Patriots’ 32, and the Jets scored on Hector’s 9-yard run.