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'With your shield or on it': Justin Pugh is straight off to retirement

JUSTIN-PUGH-SIGN

Justin Pugh is straight off to retirement.

The former offensive lineman, who started 131 games across 11 NFL seasons with two teams, officially retired today as a New York Giant. The 19th overall draft pick by the Giants in 2013, Pugh announced the news in a press conference following Friday's training camp practice.

He was surrounded by his wife Angela, 18-month-old daughter Joie, mother Carolyn Gavaghan, stepfather Frank Gavaghan, brothers Shaun, Jack and Owen Gavaghan, and sister Jenna Bundy. Also in attendance was former teammate Prince Amukamara, who stood in Pugh's shoes two years ago when he signed a one-day contract with the Giants.

"Like every little boy, I always dreamed of playing in the NFL or some sport, probably ice hockey actually growing up," Pugh said. "I'd always mimic that game-winning shot or that game-winning catch. I definitely never planned on making a block so Eli [Manning] could throw the ball down the field or Kyler Murray could do something. I never dreamed of being an offensive lineman. I don't think any little boys are out there right now being like, 'Oh, let me pass set and block in the playoffs to make something happen.' But what I realized is that offensive line is the position that was for me. I was built perfectly for it and something you don't choose. Everybody wants to be that star position, but it's something that really defined me as a man, as a father, and as a teammate. So, really, I just wanted to do a ton of thank yous today."

Pugh started four seasons with the Giants before spending five years in Arizona. He made his triumphant return to the Giants in 2023, famously starting a primetime game at Buffalo on Oct. 15, just 12 days after he signed as a practice squad veteran. On the eve of the one-year anniversary of when he tore his ACL, Pugh entered the NFL zeitgeist with his Sunday Night Football introduction. Where most players recite their name and alma mater, Pugh went with, "Justin Pugh, straight off the couch."

"After 10 years, I thought it was over," Pugh said. "I tore my ACL. The career was done. I had never been injured like that in my entire career, so I said, hey, it's time to hang them up. I can't imagine how many countless times my family came out to Arizona for the last game. It was always the last game the last time I went out there, and this felt like it really was it. All of a sudden, the New York Giants are in town and they're like, 'Hey, we had our left guard get hurt. We're playing the Cardinals. Do you think there's an opportunity for you to come back?'

"Now, I weigh 270 pounds at the time. I lied to Joe Schoen and those guys, told them I was a little bit heavier. You guys all saw me. There really was no hiding how much I weighed at that time. But I knew at the end of the day, I knew something that always stuck with me – the Giants gave me my opportunity and there was something special about putting that New York logo on one more time."

Against the Bills in his first game back, Pugh started at left guard. The already-thin offensive line took another hit midway through the first quarter of the game and had to be reconfigured yet again, and Pugh moved to left tackle. Pugh played all 77 snaps that night.

"I could have ended my career after that game," Pugh said. "That's probably why Joe Schoen had to negotiate with me a little bit because I was ready to walk away. It was my 'with your shield or on it' moment. I went out there on Sunday [Night] Football, I hadn't played in a year and got after it and we still should have won that game. I'm telling the refs right now. But really I gave everything that year."

Pugh started 11 more games for the Giants that season. His final game turned out to be on January 7, 2024. The opponent that day was the Bucks County native's favorite team growing up – the Philadelphia Eagles.

"I remember when I got drafted, we just kept saying – and this is not just because I grew up an Eagles fan – the F-ing New York Giants. I just kept saying that in awe," Pugh recalled. "Then I got here and got a chance to see what it was like to play for the New York F-ing Giants and it was a dream come true. I still get goosebumps talking about it."

View the best photos from offensive lineman Justin Pugh's time with the Giants.

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