John Tuggle: The Irrelevant Giant

And i get seasonal allergies every time Parcells talks about Tuggle walking in his office with the bottle.

must watch. It is very touching. Thanks.

My allergies acting up too.

allergies....

Thanx for posting. Was a big fan of his, but the intervening years deprived me of memory. I'll not forget him again.

We were married in June 1983...still are! I made her a NYG fan. She was a Cal State Berkeley gal and Ram fan. We are both cancer survivors, so this story really resonates. I just asked if she remembers Tuggle and she did! Yes, I am blessed.

But I do always remember him from the team wearing his number on their helmets during the 1986 season.

The Giants had a weird spate of players developing cancer in the mid-80s. First Doug Kotar, then Tuggle, then Karl Nelson, all within four years or so.

In comment 14404469 GiantGrit said:

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And i get seasonal allergies every time Parcells talks about Tuggle walking in his office with the bottle.

yup

A touching story. I doubt Parcells gets emotional easily, but this story does get you.

And of course, Doug Kotar, Dan Lloyd, Troy Archer all tragic losses. There was also an up and coming lineman in the early 80's we had who was killed in a car accident. Wish I could remember his name- Kevin something? I think he was a center...

And let's not even talk about the the freak accidents!

I don't mean to sound like I'm complaining. The guys who passed (and their families and friends) were the ones who lost out, not me. Still, makes you wonder if the Giants as an organization aren't snake bit to some degree.

He was the starting center in 1984. He survived the car wreck but sustained severe nerve damage in his legs and never played again.

It was a huge loss, Belcher was considered a rapidly improving young lineman. The Giants were very lucky that they were able to immediately pick up Bart Oates from the USFL to take over as starting center in 1985.

In comment 14405120 Greg from LI said:

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It was a huge loss, Belcher was considered a rapidly improving young lineman. The Giants were very lucky that they were able to immediately pick up Bart Oates from the USFL to take over as starting center in 1985.

Greg, thanks for correcting me. Yes, it's been so long, my memory was vague. I do recall he was highly regarded at the time.

280 I think, back when most centers were in the 250-260 range. Oates was 260, I believe. The Dolphins' Dwight Stephenson, who was the gold standard for centers in the '80s, played at 255.

In comment 14405217 Greg from LI said:

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280 I think, back when most centers were in the 250-260 range. Oates was 260, I believe. The Dolphins' Dwight Stephenson, who was the gold standard for centers in the '80s, played at 255.

Great photo, btw.