Justin Tuck

Infobox NFLactive
currentteam=New York Giants
currentnumber=91


caption=Justin Tuck at the New York Giants 2008 training camp.
currentposition=Defensive end
birthdate=birth date and age|1983|3|29
birthplace=Coosa County, Alabama
heightft=6
heightin=5
weight=274
debutyear=2005
debutteam=New York Giants
highlights=
* Super Bowl champion (XLII)
college=Notre Dame
draftyear=2005
draftround=3
draftpick=74
pastteams=
* New York Giants (2005-present)
statweek=3
statseason=2008
statlabel1=Tackles
statvalue1=119
statlabel2=Sacks
statvalue2=14.0
statlabel3=INTs
statvalue3=1
nfl=TUC056287

Justin Lee Tuck was born on March 29, 1983cite web|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/tuck_justin00.html|title=Justin Tuck profile|author=|publisher=Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the Official Athletic Site|accessdate=2008-01-18|date=2008-01-18] in Coosa County, Alabama to Jimmy Lee and Elaine Tuck and is married to Lauran Williamson of Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

A former standout defensive end for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Tuck currently plays in the National Football League for the reigning Super Bowl champion New York Giants. His cousin Adalius Thomas also plays professional football for the New England Patriots.cite web|url=http://www.nflplayers.com/news/news_release.aspx?id=7933|title=Justin Tuck - Dealing With Family Ties|author=Donnelly, Mike|publisher=NFLPlayers.com|accessdate=2008-03-11|date=February 1, 2008] cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/2005draft/Tuck,Justin-DE-Notre%20Dame.htm|title=Justin Tuck, DE, Notre Dame|author=|publisher=USA Today|accessdate=2008-01-18|date=2005-05-18] On January 17, 2008, Tuck was rewarded with a contract extension with the Giants.cite web|url=http://blog.nj.com/ledgergiants/2008/01/new_york_giants_justin_tuck_ag.html|title=Giants, Tuck agree on five-year extension|author=Garafolo, Mike|publisher=The Star-Ledger|accessdate=2008-01-17|date=2008-01-18] cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3202266|title=Giants agree with DE Tuck on $30 million extension|author=Pasquarelli, Len|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=2008-01-30|date=January 18, 2008]

In his personal life, Justin 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 [http://www.letmeplay.com/ Let Me Play] global campaign.cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/blogs/2008/02/20/the-giants-get-their-design-on/|title=The Giants Get Their Design On|author=Garafolo, Mike|publisher=Complex Magazine|accessdate=2008-03-10|date=2008-02-20]

Football career

Central Coosa County High

Growing up, Tuck's favorite football teams were the San Francisco 49erscite web|url=http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=7829|title= Chat with Justin Tuck|author=|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=2008-03-31|date=2006] and the Dallas Cowboys, but his favorite sport was basketball. Although he began playing football in the seventh grade, Justin only began to take it seriously in his freshman year of high school where he originally started out as a quarterback before changing positions to tight end and defensive end. His accolades include earning Alabama Class 4A Player of the Year as a senior in 2000, as well as lettering in football at both linebacker and tight end. For his career at Central Coosa, Tuck recorded 492 tackles with 37 sacks, 26 forced fumbles, and 17 fumble recoveries. As a tight end, Tuck had 115 catches for 2,106 yards and 17 touchdowns. Subsequently, Tuck also won two state championships as a member of the high school basketball team.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

After redshirting his 2001 freshman year at the University of Notre Dame,cite web|url=http://notredame.scout.com/a.z?s=109&p=8&c=1&nid=1164040|title=Scout.com Justin Tuck profile|author=|publisher=Scout.com|accessdate=2008-01-18|date=2008-01-18] Tuck played sparingly in his sophomore season. Playing only 180 minutes for the season, Tuck recorded his first collegiate sack against Michigan State. And despite his limited playing time and solo start (vs. Rutgers), Tuck was named a third-team freshman All-American by "The Sporting News". Tuck increased his production in his final two season at Notre Dame. In 2003, he finished the season with 13.5 sacks, 19 tackles for a loss and three forced fumble before suffering a knee injury against Syracuse. Tuck frequently encountered double-team coverage in 2004. Despite a lingering knee problem from the previous season and not playing in Notre Dame's Insight.com Bowl loss to Oregon State, Tuck still finished the season will 47 tackles, six sacks and 14 stops for losses.

Nicknamed "The Freak" by his teammates for his raw athleticism,cite web|url=http://sports.ign.com/articles/599/599873p1.html|title=Justin Tuck Interview: The Freak talks Notre Dame, the draft, and Madden. |author=Robinson, Jon|publisher=IGN|accessdate=2008-03-10|date=March 29, 2005] Tuck holds several defensive records at Notre Dame. Topping the previous record mark of 22.5 sacks by Kory Minor, Tuck finished his Notre Dame career with 24.5 sacks. His career 43 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks in a single season are also school records.cite web|url=http://www.giants.com/team/player132.html|title=Justin Tuck's Career|author=|publisher=Giants.com|accessdate=2008-01-18|date=2008-01-18]

New York Giants

Quote_box|width=40%|align=right |quote="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.""
source=Justin Tuck, 2005

2005–2006

During the 2005 NFL draft, Tuck was selected with the 74th overall pick by the New York Giants. His 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 Game.cite web|url=http://www.giants.com/team/player132.html|title=Player - Justin Tuck - Giants.com|author=|publisher=Giants.com|accessdate=2008-01-03|date=January 30, 2008] His first career sack came against the Giants' NFC East rival, the Dallas Cowboys.

Tuck finished the 2005 season with 15 solo tackles, four assisted tackles, one sack, two passes defended, one forced fumble and 18 special teams tackles.

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 Monday night victory over the Dallas Cowboys.cite web|url=http://www.giants.com/news/eisen/story.asp?story_id=22819|title=Giants Lose Tuck for Season |author=Eisen, Michael|publisher=Giants.com|accessdate=2008-01-30|date=November 15, 2006] On November 17, Tuck underwent successful surgery to repair a Lisfranc injury. The procedure included inserting screws into Tuck’s foot. For the season, Tuck only recorded two solo tackles.cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/7250/|title=SI.com-NFL JUSTIN TUCK Player Page|author=|publisher=SI.com|accessdate=2008-01-30|date=January 30, 2008]

2007

Despite starting only two games in 2007 and playing behind two perennial Pro Bowl players in Umenyiora and Strahan, Tuck enjoyed his best season to date. Recording 65 tackles, 10 sacks, and forced two fumbles during the regular season,cite web|url=http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=3286|title=Justin Tuck DL New York Giants|author=|publisher=USA Today|accessdate=2008-01-30|date=] Tuck received a lucrative contract extension from the Giants. The five-year deal is worth an estimated $30 million, $16 million of which is guaranteed.Quote_box|width=40%|align=right |quote="I just wanted it more. This was my time to shine, and I was going to do everything I could to make the most of it. In a game like this, you have to leave it all on the field - and that's exactly what I did."cite web|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/02042008/sports/giants/tuck__spags_enjoy_plenty_of_sack_cess_536044.htm|title=TUCK, SPAGS ENJOY PLENTY OF SACK-CESS|author=Hubbuch, Bart|publisher=New York Post|accessdate=2008-03-11|date=February 4, 2008] "
source=Justin Tuck on his Super Bowl performance

uper Bowl XLII

In front of a record-setting American television audience, [cite news | title=Record 97.5 million watched Super Bowl | url=http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_8164645
first=David | last=Bauder | publisher="Los Angeles Daily News" | date=2008-02-04 | accessdate=2008-04-07] Tuck had a spectacular game in Super Bowl XLII by repeatedly pressuring New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and recording two sacks and a forced fumble. According to Tuck, he and Brady exchanged insults during especially physical plays.cite web|url=http://sports.aol.com/voices/hollander/_a/meet-bradys-worst-nightmare/20080207075909990001|title=Meet Brady's Worst Nightmare|author=Hollander, Dave|publisher=AOL|accessdate=2008-03-31|date=2008-02-07] Due to the game's low score, opinions were heavily waged that Tuck was more deserving of the MVP award than Eli Manning. [Jackson, Tom, "SportsCenter" (post-game analysis) from "ESPN," 3 Feb 2008.] [Murphy, Dan [http://www.thebulletin.us/site/news.cfm?newsid=19263295&BRD=2737&PAG=461&dept_id=618894&rfi=6 "Who deserved to be MVP of Super Bowl XLII?: Justin Tuck"] from "The (Philadelphia) Bulletin," 5 Feb 2008.] [Croley, Timothy [http://bleacherreport.com/articles/8566-NFL-New_York_Giants-Super_Bowl_XLII_MVP_Not_Eli_Manning-040208 "Super Bowl XLII MVP: Not Eli Manning"] from "Bleacher Report," 4 Feb 2008.] cite web|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/02052008/sports/giants/the_reasons_10924.htm|title=THE REASONS: 42 Ways to Super Stun-day|author=Vaccaro, Mike|publisher=New York Post|accessdate=2008-03-30|date=2008-02-05]

2008

cquote|"The Tuck legend has begun."cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/15/sports/football/15blue.html?ref=sports
title=Tuck Makes Sure His Moment Is Memorable |author=LaPointe, Joe|publisher=New York Times|accessdate=2008-09-16|date=2008-09-14] |Antonio PierceOn March 31, 2008, Tuck reported to voluntary off-season conditioning programs administered by the Giants.cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/03/31/giants.workouts.ap/index.html?eref=si_latest|title=Giants begin offseason conditioning|author=Associated Press|publisher=SI.com|accessdate=2008-04-01|date=2008-03-31] Prior to the start of Giants mini-camp in May, Tuck and the Giants were invited by President Bush to the White House to honor their victory in Super Bowl XLII.cite web|url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/04/20080430-6.html|title=President Bush Welcomes Super Bowl XLII Champion New York Giants to White House|author=Office of the Press Secretary|publisher=The White House|accessdate=2008-04-30|date=April 30, 2008] Tuck also took up boxing to improve his hand-eye coordination.cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2008/09/06/2008-09-06_tuck_using_handson_technique_to_replace_.html?page=1|title=STuck using hands-on technique to replace retired Strahan, injured Osi|author=Vacchiano, Ralph|publisher=New York Daily News|accessdate=2008-09-14|date=2008-09-06]

Due to Michael Strahan's retirement, Tuck was promoted to starting defensive end. When asked about the pressure of replacing Strahan, Tuck replied "Pressure? No, I'm smart enough to realize there's only one Strahan and there will always only be one Strahan. I'm not trying to replace Michael Strahan."cite web|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/06102008/sports/giants/tuck_in_no_rush_to_replace_legend_114812.htm|title=Tuck in no rush to replace legend|author=Schwartz, Paul|publisher=New York Post|accessdate=2008-06-10|date=June 10, 2008] But 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.cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=280904019|title=Giants' defense has little problem shutting down new-look Redskins|author=Associated Press|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=2008-09-14|date=2008-09-04] The Giants went on to defeat their division rivals the Washington Redskins 16-7.cite web|url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/26550591/|title=Super start for Giants, then a battle for victory|author=Associated Press|publisher=MSNBC.com|accessdate=2008-09-14|date=2008-09-04] Tuck followed his exceptional performance in week one with an outstanding performance against the St. Louis Rams.cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=280914014&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines|title=Manning tosses three TDs; defense sacks Bulger six times in win|author=Associated Press|publisher=ESPN.com|accessdate=2008-09-14|date=2008-09-14] Tuck finished the game with 2.0 sacks and an interception return for a touchdown in a Giants victory in week two. The interception and touchdown down marked the first of Tuck's professional career. The touchdown was his first since his junior season at Notre Dame.

Personal life

Jimmy Lee Tuck, Justin's father, built the home that has housed his eight children and spouse by hand in 1973.cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/giants/roadtrip/index.ssf/2008/01/ny_giants_justin_tuck_has_root.html|title=NY Giants' Justin Tuck has roots in Alabama|author=Manahan, Kevin|publisher=NJ.com|accessdate=2008-04-02|date=2008-01-30] cite web|url=http://www.giants.com/news/eisen/story.asp?story_id=26967|title=Did you Know?|author=Eisen, Michael|publisher=Giants.com|accessdate=2008-04-05|date=] During his childhood, Justin was nicknamed "He-Man" due to his large stature. He would run through his home yelling catch phrases from Masters of the Universe such as "By the power of Grayskull!" or "I have the power!". During his youth, Tuck frequently attended Elam II Missionary Baptist Church in his native Kellyton, resulting in Justin becoming the congregation's youngest Sunday School instructor.

After the Giants Super Bowl victory, 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." The newfound celebrity also extended to New York, where Tuck and Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer were honored by Congressman Charles Rangel at the ball field at Harlem River Park on February 20, 2008.cite web|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/02202008/sports/giants/coughlin__giants_eye_4_year_deal_98477.htm|title=COUGHLIN, GIANTS EYE 4-YEAR DEAL|author=Cannizzaro, Mark|publisher=New York Post|accessdate=2008-03-30|date=2008-02-20] The community celebration was in honor of the Giants' Super Bowl XLII victory.cite web|url=http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ny15_rangel/nygiants022108.html|title=Charles Rangel News Release|author=|publisher=Press Release|accessdate=2008-03-31|date=2008-02-21] Three days later, he and several Giants players were honored as "special guests" during a historic title unification bout in Madison Square Garden between heavyweight boxers Wladimir Klitschko and Sultan Ibragimov.cite web|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/02232008/gossip/pagesix/we_hear_______98862.htm|title=We Hear...|author=Johnson, Richard|publisher=New York Post|accessdate=2008-03-30|date=2008-02-28] The following month, Tuck was again honored for his Super Bowl heroics. He exchanged a game-worn football jersey for a game-used hockey stick with New York Rangers captain Jaromír Jágr. After only his second ice hockey game, Tuck quipped "I am hooked. It's football on ice."cite web|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/03302008/sports/the_rumble_104229.htm|title=Tuck Meets Puck|author=|publisher=New York Post|accessdate=2008-03-30|date=2008-03-30]

References