Key Highlights
- Watt. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile Garrett's pursuit is a testament to generational dominance, the existing record itself is famous for its ambiguous conclusion.
- Strahan set the mark in 2001 with a final, record-breaking takedown that was controversially aided by quarterback Brett Favre falling forward, securing a total that ended precisely on the half-sack threshold: 22.5. That half-sack is the most critical and often confusing fraction in football's stat books, raising a crucial question for fans watching Garrett’s chase: what exactly is a half-sack, and how is it determined?Here's what you need to know. MORE: Tracking Myles Garrett's chase for the sack recordAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhat is a half sack in the NFL?A half-sack (0.5 sack) is a statistical credit given to a defensive player when they contribute to tackling the opposing quarterback for a loss of yardage, but an official statistician determines that another player was equally responsible for the takedown. This situation usually happens when two players converge on the quarterback simultaneously, or when one player initially engages and slows the quarterback while a second player immediately completes the tackle.
- When this happens, each of the two players is awarded 0.5 sacks toward their individual season totals. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile two players receive the half-credit, the defense as a team is only credited with one total sack for the play.
- Though, a half-sack can be the difference between tying or breaking a major statistical benchmark like the single-season sack record. MORE: Complete guide to all the sack records in the NFLWhy does the NFL use half sacks?In the modern, complex NFL pass rush, it is extremely common for multiple defenders to converge on and bring down the quarterback simultaneously.
- If only one player were awarded the full sack, it would diminish the contribution of an equally responsible teammate.
