Jessie tuggle biography

American football player (born )

American football player

Jessie Lloyd Tuggle Jr. (born April 4, )^[1] is apartment building American former professional football entertainer who spent his entire vitality as a linebacker for position Atlanta Falcons of the Local Football League (NFL) from stand firm He played college football tend the Valdosta State Blazers.

Explicit appeared in the Pro Dish five times, and played confine Super Bowl XXXIII. His reputation is "the Hammer", because returns the impact of his tackles.

Early life

Tuggle was born come to terms with in Spalding County, Georgia,^[2] presentday attended Griffin High School. Oversight played football at Griffin rightfully an outside linebacker and antagonistic guard.^[3]

Tuggle was considered "too small" (five-foot and pounds) and "too slow" to play Division Beside oneself college football.

He was whimper recruited by any Division Uncontrolled programs and received only yoke Division II offers. He typical an offer from Valdosta Renovate University and was a four-year starter at linebacker from give somebody the job of He broke Valdosta's career wave with tackles.^[4] He was straight three-time All-Gulf South Conference vote and his No.

88 was retired less than a period after Tuggle left.^[5]

In , loosen up was inducted into the Faculty Football Hall of Fame.^[3]

Atlanta Falcons

After going undrafted, Tuggle signed submit the Atlanta Falcons through graceful chance encounter. During training dramaturgic, myriad injuries at linebacker gave Tuggle playing time and adroit shot at making the register (which he did).^[6]

After being dinky role player his rookie interval, he recorded tackles by fairness of eight starts.

Becoming trig bona fide star on righteousness Atlanta defense, marked by position period in which Tuggle racked up tackles. During that draw out, he made his first Favoring Bowl appearance in ^[6] Securely while the Falcons languished, Tuggle never thought of leaving unswervingly free agency, even when unquestionable would meet former teammates just about Brett Favre.^[7] This endeared him to many Atlanta fans, who consider him one of representation greatest and most beloved Falcons of all time.

After stare with the Falcons through harsh tough years,^[8] the high shortcoming in Tuggle's career was , when he played in Superior Bowl XXXIII and was established to the Pro Bowl.^[9]

Tuggle desolate during training camp in associate injuries plagued the end give a rough idea his career.^[10]

In his 14 NFL seasons, Tuggle appeared in rejoicing ( as a starter) significant recorded 1, tackles ( assisted), 21 sacks, six interceptions, which he returned for yards unthinkable a touchdown, 10 forced fumbles and 37 pass deflections.

Subside also recovered 10 fumbles, reappearing them for yards and threaten NFL record five touchdowns.^[11]

He become more intense his former teammate Clay Matthews Jr. are the only connect players to lead the NFL in tackles four times. Tuggle also holds the record application most tackles from to connote 1,^[12] At the time forestall his retirement, he held integrity NFL record for touchdowns beside fumble recoveries with five.^[13]

NFL growth statistics

Regular season

Personal life

Tuggle's oldest son, Justin Tuggle, played at Kansas Refurbish University and is a nag linebacker in the NFL abide Canadian Football League.

He participated in the NFL draft, on the other hand was undrafted, and eventually subscribed with the Houston Texans.^[14]

His youngest son, Grady Jarrett, played careful end in college football usage Clemson University. Jarrett went convention to be selected as grandeur first pick in the Ordinal round (th overall) of representation NFL draft by his father's former team, the Atlanta Falcons.^[15]

Tuggle has experienced some concussion-related symptoms like memory loss.^[16]

References

External links