After a season without playing in a game, Justin Pugh officially announced his retirement from the NFL on Friday.
Pugh, who will turn 35 in August, was the No. 19 overall pick by the New York Giants in 2013. He made his announcement at Giants training camp and spoke to reporters.
"I've played here six of my 11 years in the NFL," Pugh said, via ESPN. "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. 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."
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Pugh starred at Syracuse before joining the Giants.
He played for New York from 2013-2017, starting all 63 games he was available for.
From there, he spent five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
Pugh returned to the Giants in 2023 for what amounted to 12 starts and his final NFL action.
"Like every little boy, I always dreamed of playing in the NFL," Pugh said. "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.'"
Pugh felt like he was meant to be an offensive lineman.
"What I realized, offensive line was the position that was for me," Pugh said. "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."
Pugh will take those lessons learned into the next chapter of his life.
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