Grey Ruegamer

Infobox NFLactive


caption=Ruegamer as a Packer in October 2005
currentteam=New York Giants
currentnumber=65
currentpositionplain= Center
birthdate=birth date and age|1976|6|1
birthplace=Scottsdale, Arizona
heightft=6
heightin=4
weight=299
debutyear=2000
debutteam=New England Patriots
college=Arizona State
draftyear=1999
draftround=3
draftpick=72
pastteams=
* Miami Dolphins (1999) *
* Pittsburgh Steelers (2000) *
* New England Patriots (2000-2002)
* Green Bay Packers (2003-2005)
* New York Giants (2006-present):*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
highlights=
* Honorable mention All-Pac-10 (1996)
* Two time All-Pac-10 (1997-1998)
* Two time Super Bowl champion (XXXVI, XLII)
nfl=RUE079101

Christopher Grey Ruegamer (pronounced ROOG-ah-mer) (June 1, 1976 in Scottsdale, Arizona) is an American football center currently for the New York Giants of the National Football League.

Early years

Ruegamer attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada and won three varsity letters each in football and track & field and twice in wrestling. In wrestling, he posted an undefeated record as a senior and was the State Champion and an All-American honoree.

College career

Ruegamer played college football at Arizona State University, where he was a four-year starter. Ruegamer played for the Sun Devils in the 1997 Rose Bowl. [ [http://www.giants.com/team/player207.html] , NFL, retrieved Mar 22, 2008.]

Professional career

Ruegamer has been a member of five NFL teams either as a member of the team or practice squad. He is known as a tough, dependable and versatile lineman, having started or played at all of the offensive line positions including tight end. Ruegamer was originally drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He has appeared in 89 career regular-season games, starting 18. He started 11 games for the Green Bay Packers in 2004 on a line that set single-season team records for fewest sacks allowed (14), first downs (354), net yards (6,357), and net passing yards (4,449). Ruegamer is a seasoned playoff participant, having played in 6 postseason contests with three teams, including New England’s Super Bowl XXXVI victory over St. Louis, and New York's Super Bowl XLII victory over the New England Patriots. [ [http://www.giants.com/team/player207.html] , NFL, retrieved Mar 22, 2008.]

Personal

Married to Laurie, his hobbies include bow and gun hunting, especially bird, as well as fishing and reading. [ [http://www.giants.com/team/player207.html] , NFL, retrieved Mar 22, 2008.]

*Has worked with Children’s Hospital and a program to clothe inner-city children in Boston. [ [http://www.giants.com/team/player207.html] , NFL, retrieved Mar 22, 2008.]

*Has worked with Pop Warner Football and the Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer. [ [http://www.giants.com/team/player207.html] , NFL, retrieved Mar 22, 2008.]

*Established reading program for Elmore Elementary School in Green Bay that stresses importance of becoming better students and reading more. [ [http://www.giants.com/team/player207.html] , NFL, retrieved Mar 22, 2008.]

*Traveled to the Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy at Fort McCoy, where he spoke to at-risk youth about choices they make and encouraged them to graduate. [ [http://www.giants.com/team/player207.html] , NFL, retrieved Mar 22, 2008.]

Trivia

*Ruegamer has a Basque family friend and has helped the friend castrate lamb with his teeth. [ [http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/107441 Giants’ Ruegamer keeps things loose, ] , East Valley Tribune, retrieved Jan 26, 2008.]

*Ruegamer is a prankster and is also known for showing up to Friday practices in costume. He keeps all his toenail clippings and callous shavings in a cup all season long. If anyone messes with him and he deems it necessary, he will dump the cup in personal belongings of theirs. [ [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22854935/] , MSNBC, retrieved Jan 29, 2008.]

*In 2005, Ruegamer launched a potential career in broadcasting during arenafootball2 action; served as a color analyst for Green Bay Blizzard home games on Time Warner Cable. [ [http://www.giants.com/team/player207.html] , NFL, retrieved Mar 22, 2008.]

*Ruegamer's Uncle Bob played with the University of Minnesota in the 1961 and 1962 Rose Bowls. [ [http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/9798spec-rel/asu-m-footbl-spec-rel29.html] , ASU.com, retrieved Mar 22, 2008.]

*True to his name, Ruegamer may be the only active NFL player with predominantly grey hair. [ [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/peter_king/08/24/mmqb/1.html] , SI.com, retrieved August 25, 2008.]

External links

* [http://www.patriots.com/alumni/index.cfm?ac=alumnibiosdetail&bio=7286 New England Patriots bio]
* [http://www.giants.com/team/player207.html New York Giants bio]
* [http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2008/02/01/2008-02-01_grey_ruegamer_is_all_guts_and_gory.html NY Daily News article about Ruegamer prior to Super Bowl XLII]
* [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/06/sports/football/06blue.html?n=Top/News/Sports/Pro%20Football/National%20Football%20League/Philadelphia%20Eagles NY Times article about car accident on 6 January 2008]
* [http://www.kohlskicking.com/olineclinic.html Ruegamer's offensive line clinic for kids]

References