Justin Tuck Considered Retiring Last Season

Overwhelmed with injuries and off-field issues Justin Tuck admitted he considered retiring last season according to the NY Post. Justing Tuck sat out four games last season while battling injuries to his neck, shoulder, groin and toe, which led to his lowest career sack total of five.

“I contemplated (retiring),” Tuck was quoted as saying by the Post. “But, I think that was just me feeling sorry for myself for a little bit there.”

Justin Tuck has said last season was one of the most painful for him. And in addition to the injuries he dealt with the passing of his uncle and grandfather last year.

“After the hardships of last year, I did some soul-searching, and really had to ask myself if this is what I want,” Tuck said.

“Obviously, I’m back, and I just feel kind of refreshed mentally. I think a lot of things were weighing on me last year where I couldn’t necessarily be my normal self on and off the football field. I’ve kind of put those things in the past now and moved forward.”

Tuck credits his wife for talking him out of retiring at a very young 28 years old as well as a conversation with head coach Tom Coughlin.

“Honestly, just consulted a lot of my family and closest friends, and just realizing this is what I love to do, and I’m not ready to give it up, regardless of the hardships,” Tuck told the Post. “I think for a little while, like I said, I felt sorry for myself because of the fact that I’m sitting here saying like, ‘Why is all this happening to me?’

“I don’t think I was thinking clearly. After winning the Super Bowl, getting away from football for a while allowed me just to think clearly.”

He almost wasn’t at that parade. Tuck says the conversation with Coughlin occurred about a month before the season changing victory over the New York Jets. He had 3.5 postseason sacks including 2 against the Patriots in the Superbowl