Advertisement

Justin Tuck announces his retirement after 11 NFL seasons

Defensive end Justin Tuck announced Monday he will retire from the NFL after 11 seasons in the league with the New York Giants and Oakland Raiders.

Defensive end Justin Tuck announced Monday he will retire from the NFL after 11 seasons in the league with the New York Giants and Oakland Raiders.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)
Share via

Justin Tuck has won two Super Bowls and made two Pro Bowls.

The 11-year NFL veteran has decided that’s enough.

“After months of praying and careful consideration, I have decided to retire from the game of football,” the defensive end said. “I’ve had 11 great years and honestly I leave with very few regrets.”

Tuck told Fox Sports that the idea of retirement first entered his mind after winning his second Super Bowl ring with the New York Giants in 2012. At the time, he was dealing with a neck injury and several deaths in his family.

Eventually he stayed two more years with the Giants, then played two with the Oakland Raiders. His 2015 season ended after just five games because of a pectoral injury. According to Fox Sports, Tuck says he doesn’t have the mental strength for one more season.

Advertisement

Plus, the youngest of his two sons is starting school and his wife is looking forward to entering the work world again.

“Physically, I feel like I can play with the best of them,” Tuck said. “It’s hilarious I got hurt on the most fluky play ever, but it’s part of it and maybe that was God trying to tell me something. I’m looking forward to being able to do something else.”

Advertisement