This July, it’s not all about the training camp grind and depth chart battles. For some, it’s marked with goodbyes. And for Giants’ guard Justin Pugh, it’s about as emotional as it gets. While the rest of the league was chasing developmental updates and season projections, Pugh announced his retirement with tears in his eyes. After 11 long years in the league marked by injuries, ups and downs, it was time to hang it up.

After 5 years with the Giants (2013-2017), he spent the next half of a decade (2018-2022) with the Cardinals. But one you bleed in Big Blue, you can’t really take a Giant out of New York. After a decade with two franchises, Pugh found his way back to New York in 2023. What started from the practice squad quickly took him back to the active roster. Now, a year removed from the NFL, he is retiring as a Giant.

As per a post on X Giants Videos, Pugh said his farewell to the league and thanked all the people who made it possible. First credits went to his parents, Carolyn and Frank. “Yeah, to my parents, Carolyn and Frank, this wouldn’t have been possible without your support.” Voice breaking, the onset of tears clearly visible, Pugh further added, “I might have been a failed defensive lineman, Frank, if you didn’t push me to the side… I always thought of myself as a defensive lineman. My stepdad, Frank, who really has been my father throughout my life, he’s always been that person I always call, doesn’t get enough thanks. From all the trips to Syracuse, to Missouri, to Seattle, to Washington, you guys have been there through it all and always knew you’d be there for me.”

It was his stepfather who was a source of constant encouragement for Pugh, from a college football player all the way to the gridiron grind. Pugh also added that he’s crying because of his mom, adding that it’s a trait he gets from her. Pugh gives Carolyn a big shoutout for supporting him through every decision and every move. “Every tough game I had, every incident throughout my entire life, you’ve always been there, mom. I love you.” Pugh went on to dedicate his journey to his daughter, Josephine, and even brought her to the podium at one point to try to get her to say ‘bye-bye’. Little Josephine just seemed caught off-guard with so many reporters around.

He also thanked his wife, Angela, for sticking with him through his turbulent career. “We left New York as kids and we came back as parents. We came back as adults.” He talked about his injuries, and how difficult it was for his family, how it affected his relationship with his daughter. “And you’ve been my rock through all of it. [IF] it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t be standing where we are today and as happy as we are. So I say that with a smile on my face and no more tears.” With this, Justin Pugh ended his NFL career, back in the building that gave him his first shot as a first-rounder. But what was the reason behind this decision?

An 11-year legacy ends for Justin Pugh

Justin Pugh never dreamed of being an offensive lineman, though the dream to play in the NFL was always there. “I definitely never planned on making a block so Eli [Manning] could throw the ball down the field.” But throughout his career, he’s amassed quite the rep for his talents as a blocker. While he got off to a rocky start in his rookie year’s first-half, the numbers significantly improved with his grind. 16 starts, 644 pass block snaps. Through it all, he only allowed 43 hurries, three hits and five sacks, ultimately inking his name to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2013. But then injuries, a staple of an OL, started mounting one after the other.

The 2014 season saw Pugh miss two weeks because of a quad injury. Next season, he missed another two weeks because of a concussion. 2016 hit much harder, with an MCL sprain sidelining him for 5 games at a stretch. The last season of his first stint with the Giants (2017) a back injury landed him on the IR. His journey with the Cardinals went better. While he missed the majority of his first season (2018) due to a knee injury, he remained consistent all the way through 2021. His last season with the Cardinals was marred in Week 6 as he tore his ACL. Battered, bruised, and much worse for the wear, Pugh came back to the Giants for his second (and last) stint. 

Pugh noted he hoped to play another season, but had reached the end of the line. “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.” More than a decade in the making, 132 games played, and 131 started out of that, Justin Pugh now hangs up his cleats. From active player to NFL Legend, now Pugh will be rooting for Big Blue from the stands.