Justin Tuck
No. 91 | |||||
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Position: | Defensive end | ||||
Personal information | |||||
Born: | Kellyton, Alabama, U.S. | March 29, 1983||||
Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||
Weight: | 265 lb (120 kg) | ||||
Career information | |||||
High school: | Central Coosa County (Rockford, Alabama) | ||||
College: | Notre Dame (2001–2004) | ||||
NFL draft: | 2005 / Round: 3 / Pick: 74 | ||||
Career history | |||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
Justin Lee Tuck (born March 29, 1983) is an American former professional
High school career
Tuck played
College career
Tuck received an athletic scholarship to attend the
Nicknamed The Freak by his teammates for his raw athleticism,[9] Tuck holds several defensive records at Notre Dame. Topping the previous record mark of 22.5 sacks by Kory Minor, Tuck finished his collegiate career with 24.5 sacks. His career 43 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks in a single season are also school records.[10] He graduated from Notre Dame in May 2005 with a degree in management from the Mendoza College of Business.
Professional career
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 20-yard shuttle |
Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | Wonderlic
| ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 4+1⁄2 in (1.94 m) |
256 lb (116 kg) |
33 in (0.84 m) |
9+5⁄8 in (0.24 m) |
4.62 s | 4.29 s | 7.33 s | 37+1⁄2 in (0.95 m) |
9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) |
24 reps | 29 | ||
Height, weight, and Wonderlic from |
In the run-up to the
New York Giants
Every defensive end who is going to be picked in the first round is going to be a good pick for whoever they're chosen by, but if I had to tell you what sets me apart, that would be my desire and determination to get better. I know what I need to work on, I know my weaknesses, but I have that work ethic to improve every day. I have that want to be the best player at my position, and I have the belief in myself that one day that will come true.[9]
— Justin Tuck, 2005
2005 season
Although projected to be a mid-first round pick in the
Tuck's rookie season in the NFL found him behind Pro Bowl defensive ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora on the New York Giants depth chart, reducing his role to special teams and the first backup at each defensive end position. In total, Tuck played in 14 regular season games with one start and the NFC Wild Card Round.[16] His first career sack came against the Giants' NFC East rival, the Dallas Cowboys, in Week 13.[17]
Tuck finished his rookie season with 33 total tackles, one sack, two passes defended, one forced fumble, and 18
2006 season
During his sophomore season in 2006, Tuck was limited to just six games due to an injury suffered on October 23, 2006, in a New York Giants
2007 season
Despite starting only two games in the 2007 season, Tuck enjoyed his best season to that point, recording 65 tackles, 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles during the regular season.[21] During the season, Tuck spelled both Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora at defensive end and on likely passing downs he teamed with Mathias Kiwanuka at defensive tackle (with Strahan and Umenyiora at end) to form a four defensive end pass rush, a scheme defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo employed to pressure opponent quarterbacks.[22][23] On January 18, 2008, Tuck signed a contract extension from the Giants.[24] The five-year, $30 million deal, $16 million of which was guaranteed, included a $9 million signing bonus.[24]
Super Bowl XLII
In front of a record-setting American television audience,[25] Tuck played well in Super Bowl XLII. According to Tuck, he and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady Brady exchanged playful trash talk, during especially physical plays.[26] Due to the game's low score, opinions were heavily waged that Tuck was more deserving of the MVP award than quarterback Eli Manning.[27][28]
2008 season
The Tuck legend has begun.[29]
On January 17, 2008, Tuck was rewarded with a contract extension with the Giants.[22][24][30]
On March 31, 2008, Tuck reported to voluntary off-season conditioning programs administered by the Giants.
Tuck started his 2008 campaign in Michael Strahan-like fashion by sacking Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell in the first play of the season opener.[34] The Giants went on to defeat their division rivals the Washington Redskins 16–7.[35] Tuck followed his exceptional performance in week one with an outstanding performance against the St. Louis Rams.[36] Tuck finished the game with 2.0 sacks and an interception return for a touchdown in a Giants victory in week two.[36] The interception and touchdown marked the first of Tuck's professional career.[36] The touchdown was his first since his junior season at Notre Dame.[29]
Tuck totaled 66 tackles, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles, two passes deflected, and one interception.[37] Tuck's stellar play in the 2008 season earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl as one of the NFC's starting defensive ends.[38] He was also voted All-Pro for the first time in his career.[39]
2009 season
Tuck and the Giants entered the 2009 season as one of the favorites for the NFC to go the Super Bowl. With the return of teammate Osi Umenyiora, Tuck hoped to see fewer double teams than he did during the end of the 2008 season.
Tuck played very well in the season opener against the Washington Redskins on September 13, 2009. Tuck recorded two tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and a pass deflection, helping the Giants win by a score of 23–17.[40] After the game, Tuck was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.[41] Tuck sustained an injured left shoulder when he was tripped by a Cowboys' lineman Flozell Adams in September, which affected his play for the rest of the 2009 season.[42] He ended the season with 60 tackles, six sacks, six forced fumbles, and eight pass deflections.[43]
2010 season
Tuck continued to perform at a high level throughout the 2010 season and, along with Osi Umenyiora, proved why New York's pair of defensive ends were among the most feared in the league.[by whom?]
Tuck recorded career highs with 76 total tackles and six forced fumbles. In addition, he finished the season with 11.5 sacks, a half a sack shy of tying his career best 12 sacks from 2008.[44] Tuck's greatest individual efforts came in games against the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles. In Week 4, against Chicago, Tuck accounted for three of the defense's 10 total sacks, and had a forced fumble in a game the Giants won 17–3.[45] In Week 15, against Philadelphia, Tuck had 1.5 sacks in a losing effort to the Eagles.[46]
The Giants finished with a 10–6 record and missed the playoffs after losses to the Eagles, who won the NFC East, as well as the eventual Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers.[47] He was named to the Pro Bowl.[48] Tuck was ranked 60th by his fellow players in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011.[49]
2011 season
Tuck battled injuries in the 2011 season. He started in 11 games. He had 26 tackles and five sacks in the regular season.
2012 season
In the 2012 season, Tuck appeared in 15 games, of which he started 14. He finished with four sacks, 45 total tackles, and one pass defensed.[58]
2013 season
In Week 13, Tuck earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his game against the Washington Redskins.[59] He had four sacks in the 24–17 victory.[60] In the 2013 season, Tuck appeared in 16 games, of which he started 15. He finished with 11 sacks, 63 total tackles, one interception, three passes defensed, and two forced fumbles.[61]
Oakland Raiders
2014 season
On March 13, 2014, Tuck signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the Oakland Raiders.[62] Tuck said he signed the deal because the deal that the New York Giants offered was "disrespectful".[63] Tuck played in 15 games and recorded five sacks, 43 total tackles, one interceptions, three passes defensed, and two forced fumbles in the 2014 season.[64]
2015 season
On October 15, 2015, Tuck was placed on the team's injured reserve due to a chest injury.[65] He played in five games and recorded one sack, 14 total tackles, and three passes defensed in the 2015 season.[66]
Retirement
Tuck announced his retirement from professional football on February 1, 2016, after 11 seasons.[67] On May 6, 2016, Tuck signed a one-day contract with New York to retire as a Giant.[68]
NFL career statistics
Legend | |
---|---|
Won the Super Bowl | |
Bold | Career high |
Regular season
Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | Sfty | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | ||
2005 | NYG | 14 | 1 | 31 | 26 | 5 | 1.0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
2006 | NYG | 6 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
2007 | NYG | 16 | 2 | 65 | 48 | 17 | 10.0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 |
2008 | NYG | 16 | 16 | 67 | 52 | 15 | 12.0 | 0 | 1 | 41 | 41.0 | 41T | 1 | 3 | 0 |
2009 | NYG | 16 | 15 | 59 | 44 | 15 | 6.0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 0 |
2010 | NYG | 16 | 16 | 76 | 48 | 28 | 11.5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 5 |
2011 | NYG | 12 | 11 | 37 | 26 | 11 | 5.0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
2012 | NYG | 15 | 14 | 45 | 27 | 18 | 4.0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
2013 | NYG | 16 | 15 | 63 | 41 | 22 | 11.0 | 0 | 1 | −2.0 | −2.0 | −2.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
2014 | OAK | 15 | 12 | 43 | 37 | 6 | 5.0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
2015 | OAK | 5 | 5 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 1.0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
Career | 147 | 111 | 510 | 353 | 157 | 66.5 | 0 | 3 | 46 | 15.3 | 41 | 1 | 22 | 6 |
Personal life
Tuck's parents are Jimmy Lee and Elaine Tuck.[69]
Tuck is married to Lauran Williamson, who is from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business in 2005. She played the defensive back position in women's intramural football and wrote for the student newspaper. She began dating Tuck during his junior year.[70]
In 1973, Jimmy Lee Tuck, Justin's father, built – by hand – the home that has housed his wife and eight children.[71][69]
During his childhood, Justin was nicknamed "
After the Giants won Super Bowl XLII, Tuck achieved a new level of celebrity in his native Alabama. "It was interesting when I went home (to Alabama)," Tuck said. "You couldn't go anywhere without people asking for your autograph or telling you congratulations or how proud they were of you and things like that."[31] The community celebration was in honor of the Giants' Super Bowl XLII victory.[73]
The following month, Tuck was again honored for his Super Bowl performance. He exchanged a game-worn football jersey for a game-used hockey stick with New York Rangers captain Jaromír Jágr. He is a Rangers fan.[74]
Tuck has participated in various philanthropic causes. Tuck and Giants teammate Michael Strahan teamed up with Nike to design their own exclusive pair of sneakers for ID studio in New York City. All proceeds of the sneakers were donated to Nike's Let Me Play global campaign. Tuck was also featured on the second season of "Cake Boss" when he ordered a cake shaped like a billiards table for the first annual celebrity billiards event for his charity "Tuck's Rush for Literacy."[75]
Tuck and his family have been residents of Fort Lee, New Jersey.[76]
He also served on the player engagement board of advisors of the Alliance of American Football in 2018.[77][78]
References
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- ^ a b "Giants begin offseason conditioning". SI.com. Associated Press. March 31, 2008. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2008.
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- ^ a b c "Manning tosses three TDs; defense sacks Bulger six times in win". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 14, 2008. Retrieved September 14, 2008.
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- ^ King, Peter (February 6, 2012). "Peter King: Manning's throw, Manningham's catch the stuff of legends". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
- ^ Parks, James (February 1, 2016). "WATCH: Justin Tuck's Super Bowl-clinching sack of Tom Brady". New York Giants. Retrieved November 27, 2022.[dead link]
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- ^ Schefter, Adam (March 13, 2014). "Justin Tuck heading to Raiders". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
- ^ Patra, Kevin (March 14, 2014). "Justin Tuck: N.Y. Giants' offer was 'disrespectful'". NFL.com. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
- ^ "Justin Tuck 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
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- ^ a b c d e Manahan, Kevin (January 30, 2008). "NY Giants' Justin Tuck has roots in Alabama". NJ.com. Retrieved April 2, 2008.
- ^ Borden, Sam (November 20, 2012). "Tuck Trying His Hardest to Avoid Jinxing the Irish". The New York Times. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
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- Complex Magazine. Retrieved March 10, 2008.
- ^ Borden, Sam (May 30, 2012). "For Giants' Tuck, a Push for Reading Starts at Home". The New York Times. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
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External links
- Career statistics and player information from Pro Football Reference
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish bio