Former New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck stood before a crowded auditorium reflecting on his personal and professional growth throughout the years and how everything had come full circle on a day in which his “transition” – he didn’t want to use the word “retirement”—was made official after 11 NFL seasons, including nine as a member of Big Blue.
“In 2005 I started my journey here,” he said, doing his best to keep his voice steady and his eyes dry. “First day of minicamp and everybody is smiling and happy to be there. You’re walking around and you’re seeing the great names in the locker room with LT (Lawrence Taylor) and you look over in the corner and you’ve got Michael Strahan and here’s this pup from Kellyton, Alabama and they gave me number 91.
“I’m sitting at my locker and I’m pissed. (Safeties) Coach (Dave) Merritt looks at me and he’s like, ‘Did somebody die in your family? What’s wrong with you?’ What I told him and I’ve held that chip on my shoulder since that day and I told him there were 70 something odd people drafted before me that shouldn’t have been. I believed it. Until this day, I’ve used that as a crutch. I’ve used that as a chip.”
That chip, which never left Tuck’s shoulder, is a large reason why the 33-year-old’s name is etched in the Giants franchise record book in sacks with 60.5 (sixth place), most fumbles recovered in a season (five, tied for first with Ernie Jones and Ray Poole) and most sacks in a single game with 4.0 (tied for third with Strahan and Taylor (4.0).
Having accomplished just about everything he could want in his career, including winning a Super Bowl Championship in 2011, Tuck offered a word or two of advice to the newest crop of rookies in town for the start of the team’s three-day minicamp this weekend.
“My rookies have left, but I wanted to say this and I hope they see this when I say this,” he said. “Those guys that are drafted to the New York Giants, all that means is that you have an opportunity. Nothing is going to be given to you. Nothing.
“When I came in here, I had a Hall of Famer in front of me. I had a young stud in front of me. The next year they drafted a first round pick. The next year they drafted a first round pick. Nothing is ever given to you. You can be the strongest and the meanest and the best ever, but you always have got to come in here and you’ve got to fight. That’s for my rookies, and I hope they see that.”
Tuck revealed that Giants first-round pick Eli Apple personally reached out to him shortly after being drafted to pick the veteran’s brain regarding how to be successful in New York.
“I told him just to focus on football,” said Tuck, who other than for his endless community service, including very successful “RUSH for Literacy” campaign, and occasional appearances supporting the other area sports teams, wasn’t much into the social life that can sometimes swallow a young athlete alive.
“Being in New York can be overwhelming, especially for a guy that is named Eli, for one but just to focus on his craft and he will be just fine. This place embraces a winner, so just go out and win.”
While Tuck is about to embark on a new chapter in his life—he was accepted into the Wharton School of Business down in Philadelphia where he will pursue his MBA—his heart still belongs up the Turnpike where he stands ready to help his team, just as he did as a player.
“I will do everything in my power to always be the character that Mr. (Wellington) Mara can be proud of, that (general manager) Jerry Reese and (team co-owner) Steve Tisch and all of those guys can be proud of,” Tuck said.
“I’m not leaving; I’m just exiting. If you ever need me—and I’m talking to everybody in here–my number and my e-mail hasn’t changed and it won’t. Go Giants!”
