It's not breaking news on the field, but it's certainly a nice touch and a typically class move by the Giants. We've learned that Jessie Armstead, the Giants' heart-and-soul linebacker for nine seasons, will sign with the team tomorrow so he can officially retire a Giant.
Armstead was an eighth-round pick out of Miami in 1993 and, much like his protege, Antonio Pierce, fought his way onto the field and hardly left. Armstead went to the Redskins in 2002 and spent two seasons there, then one on injured reserve with the Panthers in 2004. He worked out for the LB-depleted Giants around Christmas in 2005, but hasn't played a down in three-plus years.
"This is the perfect opportunity," Armstead told me today. "You see certain guys get to do this, like Emmitt Smith did with Dallas. You always think of Emmitt as a Cowboy. I wanted to do that with the Giants... It's real special to know it wasn't a one-way street either."
Armstead owns a couple of car dealerships in the tri-state area and splits his time between Dallas and here. He had a suite at Giants Stadium last season but "I was never in it. I was always down on the field. I'm still there."
I'll have some more in a story later.
Comments (4)
classy...looking forward to reading more in the paper
Thanks for the headsup Art, please convey to Mr. Armstead the heartfelt thanks and good luck wishes from Giants fans to the last probowl LB we've had the pleasure to watch.
Hope to see you around JA, thanks for caring.
A few things...first, its great to see Jessie Armstead retire a Giant. He was the only thing to cheer about for many years on a bunch of poor Giants' teams. A great competitor and a fiery leader. We can thank him for selling Antonio Pierce on joining this organization.
2nd. I laughed at your comment Joe about Shockey. The guy refuses to eat red meat and only organic food and your suggesting he uses illegal substances. Judging from the way he plays, I don't think Shockey cheats at anything. He owns a hyperbaric chamber, has acupuncture sessions, and is a workout warrior. It would be nice to have him workout with Eli. I can't stand when Plaxico and Shockey show up their QB. Nothing good comes of it. As talented as Plaxico Burress is, I remember the times he gave up on routes last season. It was plain as day. The times he aligator armed balls over the middle or the fumbles he lost and never attempted to tackle the defender. Give me 10 Amani Toomers over 10 Plaxico Burress's any day.
Armstead was the man... Was my favorite player on the team for years. Miss rooting for him... Class act retiring as a Giant