He grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he played baseball and basketball as well as football at Woodward High School.
[2][4] The Jets went just 3-11 each of Salaam's first two seasons in the National Football League, however, he was soon joined by Joe Klecko, Mark Gastineau, and Marty Lyons on the Jets' defensive line to form one of the top defensive lines in the NFL, known as the "New York Sack Exchange."
[5] In November 1981, Salaam, Gastineau, Klecko, and Lyons were invited to ring the ceremonial opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange that served as the inspiration for their nickname.
[6] The Jets made the playoffs again in 1982, losing the AFC Championship game to the Miami Dolphins.
Following the season, he was traded with Kenny Neil to the San Diego Chargers for a 1984 NFL draft second-round pick,[7] but neither player ever made an appearance with his new team.