Gastineau met model and actress Brigitte Nielsen following the 1987 season, and shortly started a highly publicized love affair. Gastineau led the AFC in sacks seven weeks in the 1988 season. He then suddenly announced his retirement shortly after Nielsen, to whom he’d formerly announced his betrothal, promised to be afflicted by cancer of the uterus. During the time of his retirement, Gastineau was the NFL’s all time leader in sacks. The statement was followed with a surge of investigation by local NYC newspapers of whether she was telling the truth, revealing citywide mistrust of Gastineau. Gastineau attempted a comeback, in the Canadian Football League in 1990. He signed a two-year contract together with the BC Lions, but got injured and was launched after just four matches.