Get to Know an Offensive Lineman: Giants' Justin Pugh issues an eating challenge
Busy with dirty work in the trenches, offensive linemen don't get the glory enjoyed by "skilled" players. In fact, if their number gets called at all, that usually means they've screwed up. They don't get drafted to fantasy teams, and the casual NFL fan can probably name no more than a few big men up front.
We here at The Buzzer want to give NFL offensive linemen a voice and some semblance of glory. So we've asked several of the league's top offensive linemen to let us get to know them better. We asked the questions, they gave us the answers. Each week at The Buzzer, we'll help you "Get To Know An Offensive Lineman."
FoxSports.com: What's the best or most unique locker room prank you've witnessed (or pulled yourself)?
Justin Pugh: My teammates got me with thief dye that people put in clothes or shoes, which you can also get in powder form that can explode. They put it in my shoes and my gloves, so my feet and hands were blue for a week and a half.
FS: Which defensive player is the best trash talker that you've encountered at the line of scrimmage? Any memorable lines?
JP: So far, Julius Peppers. I think he got after me because I was a rookie. I tried to give him a little trash talk back, but he's pretty good.
FS: Most memorable block of your NFL career?
JP: We had this deuce block against Dallas to score a 2-point conversion to tie the game up. That's probably one of my favorite blocks because David Diehl and I pancaked the guy.
FS: When's the last time you touched the football in an actual game? What did you do with it?
JP: Pick-6, my senior year in high school and took it to the house. I celebrated and ran off the field. But I got a penalty because I forgot I was on extra point. It's on YouTube and if you don't believe me, check it out. One handed-interception.
FS: Who's got the biggest appetite among the members of your team's O-Line? What does (or doesn't) he eat?
JP: I got the biggest appetite. I did a "Wing-Off" when I was in college and won that. So I'm challenging any of my offensive linemen or anyone on the team to any competitive eating challenge there is.
FS: Do you have a nickname?
JP: When I was in college, everyone called me "Puny," because when I got there, I could only do 225 (bench press) five times. I guess, puny in the weightroom. Now I'm a little bit better and can do it 25-30 times. I'm outgrowing the nickname so I'm looking for a new one.
FS: What would you like to do after your playing career?
JP: I either want to get into financial advising or broadcasting. I haven't decided yet, but I am going to try out both and see what I like and what I want to pursue.
FS: What was the highlight of your offseason?
JP: Coming back spending time with my teammates, working out and getting to know those guys. I worked out with Chris Snee and learning from him is probably one of the most beneficial things that happened to me this offseason.
FS: Tell us something about life as an O-Lineman that the average fan probably doesn't know.
JP: We got style man. Everyone thinks we're some big, fat, ugly dudes. I got a nice beard, I dress nice, I can go out and have a good time., I can wear a suit. It's not like I'm some fat slob sitting around all day.
Past editions of "Get To Know An Offensive Lineman": Chance Warmack l Kyle Long l Evan Mathis l Geoff Schwartz | Josh Sitton | Anthony Castonzo
Detroit bound. Ready for @ESPNMondayNight football. pic.twitter.com/OFxsrnQ5CK
— Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh) September 7, 2014
