Shortened 1987 NFL Season Produced Two Incredible Statistics

Published on October 26th, 2023 6:17 pm EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


TJ Watt and Michael Strahan currently co-own the single season record for most sacks, as Watt posted 22.5 sacks in 2021 and Strahan posted 22.5 sacks in 2001.

Reggie White is a little further down the list with a total of 21 sacks, but did you know that he posted this total in just 12 GAMES?

That's right - the 1987 NFL season was shortened due to a player strike, and the majority of the players elected not to cross the picket line, meaning that they ended up playing just 12 games over the course of the season.

Reggie White was one of those players who elected not to cross the picket line, so he ended up playing just 12 games for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1987.

White, however, would make VERY good use of these games.

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Over the course of 12 games in 1987, Reggie White would post one of the greatest seasons of his career, as he notched an astonishing 21 sacks.

In addition, White forced four fumbles and even scored a touchdown.

This resulted in White being named the Defensive Player of the Year, which he would win one more time over the course of his career.

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21 sacks in just 12 games meant that Reggie White averaged 1.75 sacks per game in 1987.

In fact, White was held without a sack in just ONE game in 1987 - a 31-27 win against the Washington Redskins.

White would post eight multi-sack games in 1987, including a 20-17 loss to the New York Giants on November 15th, 1987, when he he posted a total of 3 sacks.

Reggie White, had he played an entire 16 game season in 1987, very likely would still own the single season sack record, as he was completely unstoppable that year.

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1987 also produced another amazing statistic - Jerry Rice recorded 22 touchdowns in just 12 games that year.