Healthy Justin Tuck not retiring type
New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck photographed on the red carpet outside of Slate NYC before the start of the 4th annual Tuck's Celebrity Billiards which raises funds for Tuck's R.U.S.H. for literacy. (May 31, 2012) Credit: Steven Sunshine
As a report circulated about Justin Tuck's admission to having considered retirement last season, the Giants defensive end did his best Wednesday to squelch that talk.
"You say 'retirement' and it gets blown out of proportion," Tuck said. He recently told the New York Post that physical and emotional struggles had him so dejected he considered walking away from football. "Did it pop into my head?" the 29-year-old said. "Sure it did. But did I seriously think I was going to retire? I don't think so."
Neck, groin and shoulder injuries limited the two-time Pro Bowler to 12 games, and his 37 tackles and five sacks were each the fewest since a breakout 2007 season. Tuck, who has dealt with shoulder problems since 2009 when he tore his left labrum, had shoulder surgery this offseason to remove scar tissue. Tuck also was distracted by the deaths of his grandfather and uncle, with whom he was very close, last season.
"Last year was tough for me and I did contemplate [retirement] a little bit," said Tuck, who is in the fourth year of a five-year, $30-million contract. "But as far as I'm concerned, that talk is out the window . . . Right now I'm healthy and I feel good."
Certainly so after helping set a Guinness World Record Wednesday. Tuck was at The TimesCenter in Manhattan as part of a Subway promotion in which 250 foot-long subs were made simultaneously. That, apparently, had never been done before. The sandwiches were donated to City Harvest.
Tuck could have more on his plate this season -- figuratively. Recent injuries to defensive tackles Shaun Rogers (blood clot) and Marvin Austin (back) could require him to take more snaps on the interior line. "I've done both and had success," Tuck said of playing defensive end and tackle, a hybrid role he assumed more often earlier in his career.
With Tuck coming off a poor season individually, and some opponents asserting their Super Bowl run was a fluke, the veteran said he's carrying a chip on his now-healthy shoulder.
"As athletes we're competitive," he said. "We always try to find things to push ourselves to the next level."
Tuck also provided his thoughts on Jets quarterback Tim Tebow, who he'll see in Saturday night's preseason game.
"It's great for football," Tuck said of Tebow. "So many times with athletes, you hear all the negative stuff. You have a guy who's an ambassador for the game and he seems to be doing all the positive things. The more they highlight that, the better for our game and the kids looking at football players as role models."
