Justin Tuck was born March 29th, 1983 in Kellyton, Alabama. Growing up, Justin was a stand-out athlete in basketball and didn’t really start to focus on football until his freshman year in high-school. However, he was so gifted that he originally played quarterback before moving to tight end, which he continued to play at Central-Coosa County High School, before he eventually found his home at defensive end, where he still plays today. As a senior, Justin was chosen as the Alabama Class 4A Player of the Year. He finished his prep career with 492 tackles, 37 sacks, 26 forced fumbles, and 17 fumble recoveries. With such impressive stats to his name, Justin was a highly sought after commodity. After reviewing all of the possible options, he chose to sign his letter of intent to play football at the University of Notre Dame.

Justin struggled with injuries throughout his college career, but still managed to set a number of records at Notre Dame. As a junior in 2003, he recorded 13.5 sacks, 19 tackles for a loss and forced three fumbles before suffering another injury that shut him down for the remainder of the year. Justin continued to deal with that same injury into the 2004 season, but was still able to finish the season with 47 tackles, six sacks and 14 stops for losses. Justin holds the record for career sacks at Notre Dame with 24.5, as well as the records of 43 tackles for a loss and 13.5 sacks in a single season. His athletic ability and superb play in between injuries gave Justin a realistic shot at being a first day selection in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Justin was selected with the 10th pick of the 3rd round by the New York Giants in the 2005 NFL Draft.

Justin spent the first two seasons dealing with injuries and working hard to get playing time behind Pro Bowlers Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. In 2007, Justin showed the Giants that they made a wise decision in drafting the talented athlete as he went on to record 65 tackles, 10 sacks and two forced fumbles in limited playing time. The Giants would go on to sign Justin to a five year extension after seeing his impressive breakout season which was capped by strong performances throughout the Giants’ 2007-2008 playoff run. The Giants entered the 2007-2008 playoffs as the #5 seed. Anchored by Justin and the pressure-heavy Giants defense, they would go on to win their next three games on the road en route to their historic matchup against the undefeated New England Patriots.

Coming into Super Bowl XLII, the Giants were seen as serious underdogs. The Patriots had finished the regular season 16-0 and had won both of their playoff games to arrive with an unblemished record. The Patriots had previously beaten the Giants in 2007 as well, having disposed of them in the final regular season game to clinch their perfect season. This time however, the story would end a little differently. With a strong defensive presence, and an incredible amount of pressure on the normally untouchable Tom Brady, Justin and the Giants went on to upset the Pats, and the world, becoming champions of Super Bowl XLII. Justin had a remarkable game, registering two sacks and a forced fumble on Brady. There was some argument that Tuck should receive the MVP, but it went to Giants QB Eli Manning instead. Nonetheless, Justin’s effort showed the world that his defensive prowess was on par with the best in the game.

As hard as he works on the field, Justin also devotes himself to working hard to give back to his community. Justin’s charity initiative is called R.U.S.H. This program aspires to encourage children to READ, UNDERSTAND, SUCCEED, and HOPE as they continue to nurture literacy in their lives. This charity program is committed to raise funds to donate books and other reading materials to benefit the local New York and Central Alabama communities. Also, for every sack Justin records in the 2008 NFL Season, he has pledged $1,000 to help the New York and Central Alabama school systems.

As a person and a player, Justin continues to demonstrate that he belongs in the same class as other premiere defensive linemen in the NFL today. His dedication to hard work, his raw athletic talent and his will to succeed ensure that he’ll remain among the elite names in the league for years to come.