Justin Pugh retires from NFL as member of New York Giants
Pugh took the podium in East Rutherford following the team's third training camp practice and bid farewell to the game after 11 years.
"Not many players get to go out on their terms, and after 11 years playing in the NFL, I am officially retiring from the league," Pugh told reporters. "I thought I was going to do another one, but just didn't have it in the tank. I started losing weight and started feeling good, and didn't want to do a 12th year.
"But like every little boy, I always dreamed of playing in the NFL ... I definitely never planned on making a block so Eli (Manning) could throw the ball down the field. I never dreamed of being an offensive lineman. I don't think any little boys are out there right now being like, 'Let me pass set and block in the playoffs to make something happen.'
"What I realized, offensive line was the position that was for me. I was built perfectly for it, and it's something that you don't choose. Everyone wants to be that star position, but it's something that really defined me as a man, as a father, and as a teammate."
The Giants selected Pugh in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft and spent his first five years in blue. He signed with the Cardinals in 2018 and played seasons in Arizona before rejoining the Giants for his final season in 2023.
Pugh played 132 games (131 starts) at both guard and tackle over his career, and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2023.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Justin Pugh retires from NFL as member of New York Giants
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