Justin just Tuckered out, quits
HE WAS a key piece of the Giants’ two Super Bowl runs under Tom Coughlin. But now, he’s done with football.
On Monday, former Giants defensive lineman Justin Tuck announced his retirement in a Facebook post. Tuck, 32, spent 11 seasons in the NFL, the first nine helping to anchor the fearsome Giants defensive line that powered the team to Lombardi trophies after the 2007 and 2011 seasons.
“After months of praying and careful consideration, I have decided to retire from the game of football,” he wrote. “I’ve had 11 great years and honestly I leave with very few regrets.”
Tuck was a third-round pick of the Giants in 2005, and he quickly emerged as a fixture on the defensive line, playing a variety of positions in the two Super Bowl wins over the New England Patriots.
He has four career sacks in the championship game, the second-highest total since the stat became official, behind only Charles Haley, who has 4.5 in five Super Bowl appearances.
He becomes the latest NFL player to walk away from the game at an early age. His decision comes just one day after Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, 30, retired after just nine seasons and after a sixth straight 1,000yard campaign.
According to FoxSports, Tuck might have been open to a return to East Rutherford this season had the Giants been interested and had the club retained Coughlin.
The defensive end made no mention of an interest in returning in his Facebook post, though, and seemed at peace with his decision.
Tuck thanked both the Giants and Raiders for “giving me a place I could call home all these years.”
Of course, the two-time Pro Bowler enjoyed almost all of his milestones during his time in a Giants uniform.
He was known as one of the most vocal presences in the Giants locker room during his tenure, regularly giving pregame speeches and serving as a mentor to several young defenders, including Jason Pierre-Paul.
Tuck finished his career with 66.5 sacks, and 60.5 of those — as well as all four of his 10sack campaigns — came with the Giants.
“To my coaches: thanks for having me ready at every stage — the Super Bowls, Pro Bowls, you name it – thank you for teaching me about professionalism, preparation, and the pursuit of perfection,” Tuck wrote.
Tuck left the Giants after the 2013 season.
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