Once a Giant, always a Giant.
Former cornerback Prince Amukamara, a first-round draft choice who played five of his nine NFL seasons in a Giants uniform, signed a one-day contract to retire with the organization he helped win its fourth Lombardi Trophy in his rookie season.
The 19th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Amukamara made 45 starts in 55 regular-season games with the Giants. He also played in four postseason games during the Giants' 2011 championship run.
After a foot injury delayed his rookie campaign, Amukamara intercepted Vince Young's pass intended for DeSean Jackson in his NFL debut against the rival Eagles on Nov. 20, 2011. Amukamara, who had his fifth-year option picked up by the Giants, became a free agent in 2016, when he signed with the Jaguars. Following one season in Jacksonville, Amukamara spent time with the Bears, Raiders, Cardinals and Saints and finished his NFL career with 10 interceptions, 78 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. Amukamara started exactly 100 games, including one in the postseason with Chicago.
"I always thought retirement was you go to an island, you look at the ocean, and you have a cold beverage on your side," Amukamara said in his retirement speech inside the fieldhouse at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. "But seeing guys like [Michael] Strahan, Eli [Manning], [Victor] Cruz, mastering something after football, I feel like as athletes, we're used to routine, we're competitive, and so we're not meant to just sit down and do nothing. I plan on doing something purposeful. I've always lived by if being a football player was the only thing I was known for, then I haven't really accomplished anything in life."
View photos of the career of former Giants cornerback and Super Bowl Champion Prince Amukamara.
New York Giants safety Kenny Phillips (21) and Prince Amukamara (20) celebrate after the final play of the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
New York Giants during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday November 20, 2011 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive back Prince Amukamara (20) rides on the back of Jacquian Williams as they celebrate their 21-17 win over the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) runs back an interception as teammate Kerry Wynn (72) follows behind him during the first half an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Thursday Sept. 24, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants first-round draft pick Prince Amukamara holds up a Giants jersey during an NFL football news conference at the team's training facility Friday, April 29, 2011 in East Rutherford, N.J. In the background is New Meadowlands Stadium were the Giants play their home games. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) is greeted by fans as he and the team walk out onto the field for an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) breaks up a pass to Minnesota Vikings' Jerome Simpson (81) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Oct. 21, 2013 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday November 20, 2011 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara poses for photographs with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he was selected as the 19th overall pick by the New York Giants in the first round of the NFL football draft at Radio City Music Hall Thursday, April 28, 2011, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
New York Giants defensive back Prince Amukamara, left, intercepts a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles' DeSean Jackson, right, during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday November 20, 2011 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday November 20, 2011 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday November 20, 2011 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive back Prince Amukamara before the preseason NFL football game between the New York Jets and the New York Giants Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) lines up against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) misses a catch against New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) in the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) runs back an interception from Dallas Cowboys' Tony Romo as the Giants' Jacquian Williams (57) provides protection during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) runs back an interception as teammate Kerry Wynn (72) follows behind him during the first half an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara in the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New York Giants strong safety Landon Collins (21) and cornerback Prince Amukamara celebrate in the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) greets fans before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 27-26. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)
New York Giants defensive back Prince Amukamara (20) stretches at the New York Giants NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Saturday, July 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) lines up against wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) during NFL football minicamp, Thursday, June 18, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants' Prince Amukamara during a NFL football camp in East Rutherford, N.J., Tuesday, July 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) runs back an interception as teammate Kerry Wynn (72) follows behind him during the first half an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) celebrates with Jayron Hosley (28) after Amukamara intercepted a Washington Redskins pass during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday Sept. 24, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara returns an interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Thursday Sept. 24, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) intercepts a pass from San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith in front of tight end Delanie Walker (46) during the second quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. The Giants won 26-3. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) breaks up a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara, left, lines up against Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) celebrates with strong safety Antrel Rolle (26) after intercepting a pass against the Houston Texans in the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants defensive back and 2011 first round draft pick Prince Amukamara prepares to stretch at the New York Giants NFL football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Saturday, July 28, 2012. Giants general manager Jerry Reese said Saturday he expects Amakamura to play like a first round draft pick. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) and tackle Jermey Parnell (78) give chase as New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara, center, finds running room after intercepting a Romo pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
New England Patriots Reggie Wayne tries to get open past New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) in the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara smiles before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara, right breaks up a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara poses for photographs after he was selected as the 19th overall pick by the New York Giants in the first round of the NFL football draft at Radio City Music Hall Thursday, April 28, 2011, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) misses a reception as New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara, left, defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) runs back an interception from Dallas Cowboys' Tony Romo as the Giants' Jacquian Williams (57) provides protection during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
New York Giants defensive back Prince Amukamara (20) celebrates with teammate Mark Herzlich after Amukamara intercepted a pass during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants defensive back Prince Amukamara (20) reacts after intercepting a pass as teammates Corey Webster (23) and Mark Herzlich, blocked from view, look on during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara looks on during an NFL football practice Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants are scheduled to travel to San Francisco to face the 49ers in the NFC championship game on Sunday, Jan. 22. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara, right, intercepts a pass in the end zone, intended for New England Patriots wide receiver Aaron Dobson, left, during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Foxborough, Mass.(AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
New York Giants defensive back Prince Amukamara, left, intercepts a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles' DeSean Jackson, right, during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants defensive back Prince Amukamara (20) is knocked out of bounds during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Monday, Nov. 28, 2011. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
Washington Redskins' Roy Helu, right, and New York Giants' Prince Amukamara, center, battle for a ball while Kenny Phillips looks on during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants defensive back Prince Amukamara (20) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles' DeSean Jackson (10) after intercepting a pass during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants defensive back Prince Amukamara (20) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles' DeSean Jackson (10) after intercepting a pass during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants first-round draft choice Prince Amukamara puts in his mouthpiece during NFL football training camp on Friday, Aug. 5, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants first-round draft pick Prince Amukamara holds up a Giants jersey during an NFL football news conference at the team's training facility Friday, April 29, 2011 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Prince Amukamara (20) runs with a ball during NFL football camp, Thursday, May 30, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants first-round draft pick Prince Amukamara holds up a Giants jersey during an NFL football news conference at the team's training facility Friday, April 29, 2011 in East Rutherford, N.J. In the background is New Meadowlands Stadium were the Giants play their home games. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Prince Amukamara after being selected by the New York Giants during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York, NY. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara walks onstage after he was selected as the 19th overall pick by the New York Giants in the first round of the NFL football draft at Radio City Music Hall on Thursday, April 28, 2011, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
New York Giants first-round draft pick Prince Amukamara poses with coach Tom Coughlin, right, and general manager Jerry Reese, left, during an NFL football news conference at the team's training facility Friday, April 29, 2011 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) breaks up a pass intended for New England Patriots wide receiver Reggie Wayne in the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara poses for photographs after he was selected as the 19th overall pick by the New York Giants in the first round of the NFL football draft at Radio City Music Hall on Thursday, April 28, 2011, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
New York Giants' Prince Amukamara walks off the field after a workout during NFL football camp, Wednesday, May 22, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants Prince Amukamara (20) runs with an interception during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in East Rutherford N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Amukamara had an illustrious career at the University of Nebraska, where he was named the 2010 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-American. Amukamara was also one of three finalists for the Thorpe Award as a senior. Last fall, Amukamara was elected to the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022.
Amukamara was a three-sport star at Apollo High School in Glendale, Ariz., the city where the Giants defeated the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.
During his final two seasons, Amukamara scored nearly 50 touchdowns, while rushing for 3,389 yards and averaging 11.9 yards per carry. In the same two seasons, he had 664 receiving yards and totaled 125 tackles.
As a senior, Amukamara rushed for 2,106 yards and 24 touchdowns, while catching 22 passes for 252 yards and six touchdowns. He also averaged 26 yards per punt return and 20.8 yards on kickoff returns. In the first round of the Class 4A playoffs against Scottsdale Chaparral, Amukamara rushed for 366 yards and four touchdowns in an overtime loss. Amukamara was named the State High School Player of the Year by the Arizona Republic.
Amukamara was also a starting guard in basketball, helping Apollo to three straight Class 4A state titles. He also starred in track, winning the Class 4A state titles in both the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes in 2007.
His family comes from royal bloodlines in Nigeria. Amukamara's grandfather was the king of the Awo-Omamma in Imo State of Nigeria. His father, Romanus, was chief. Amukamara's mother, Christie (formerly Nwachukwu), competed in the sprints for the Nigerian track team at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Amukamara is married to Pilar and they have five children: Paisley, Princeton, Pierson, Presley and Payson.
The Giants honored the 2011 championship team in a special halftime ceremony as part of the 10th anniversary celebration.
The Vince Lombardi trophy is seen during a ceremony honoring the 10th anniversary of the New York Giants 2011 Championship Team during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, October 17, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ric Tapia/NFL)
Former New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin speaks during a ceremony honoring the 10th anniversary of the 2011 Championship Team during halftime of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, October 17, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ric Tapia/NFL)
The New York Giants honor the 10th anniversary of the 2011 Championship Team with former wide receiver Victor Cruz and former linebacker Zak DeOssie at halftime of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, October 17, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ric Tapia/NFL)
The New York Giants honor the 10th anniversary of the 2011 Championship Team with former defensive end Justin Tuck in attendance at halftime of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, October 17, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ric Tapia/NFL)
New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin walks on field with former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning during a half-time ceremony honoring the 2011 Super Bowl Championship team on Sunday, October 17, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ric Tapia/NFL)
Former New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin speaks during a ceremony honoring the 10th anniversary of the 2011 Championship Team with former wide receiver Victor Cruz and former defensive back Antrel Rolle at halftime of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, October 17, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ric Tapia/NFL)
Former New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning is seen holding the 2011 Super Bowl Championship Lombardi trophy during a half-time ceremony honoring the team on Sunday, October 17, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ric Tapia/NFL)
Former New York Giant coach Tom Coughlin, left, and former quarterback Eli Manning walks onto the field during an event honoring the 2011 New York Giants Super Bowl team during the halftime of an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Former New York Giant coach Tom Coughlin, second from right, hugs former quarterback Eli Manning, right, during an event honoring the 2011 New York Giants Super Bowl team during the halftime of an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Former New York Giant coach Tom Coughlin speaks during an event honoring the 2011 New York Giants Super Bowl team during the halftime of an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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