Saldi attended White Plains Senior High School, where he was an All-American linebacker, while also playing tight end in the offense.
He accepted a football scholarship from the University of South Carolina, where he played as an undersized (205 pounds) defensive end as a true freshman, before suffering a leg injury.
After not being selected in the 1976 NFL draft, he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys, because of his all-around athletic ability.
His best play came in the NFC Wild Card Game against the Los Angeles Rams, making a 37-yard reception to set up the go-ahead touchdown in a 34–13 win.
[6] Just as Dupree was finishing his career, Doug Cosbie passed Saldi on the depth chart, so he forced the team to trade him to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a sixth round draft choice (#152-Eugene Lockhart) on May 11, 1983.
[7][8] In 1983, Saldi reunited with Mike Ditka who was the head coach of the Chicago Bears, started 6 games, while registering 12 receptions for 119 yards.
He later teamed with veteran sportscaster Bill Mercer to provide color commentary on World Class Championship Wrestling syndicated broadcasts in the summer of 1982.