Justin Kurpeikis

Justin Kurpeikis

No. 90, 47
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(1977-07-17) July 17, 1977 (age 46) Allison Park, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	254 lb (115 kg)
Career information
High school:	Central Catholic (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
College:	Penn State
Undrafted:	2001
Career history
Pittsburgh Steelers (2001–2002) New England Patriots (2003–2004)* Cleveland Browns (2005)* Pittsburgh Steelers (2006)* Hamburg Sea Devils (2007) Detroit Lions (2007)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XXXIX) First-team All-Big Ten (2000)
Career NFL statistics
Tackles: 7
Player stats at PFR

Justin William Kurpeikis (July 17, 1977) is a former American football player. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, and the Hamburg Sea Devils.

Playing career

Kurpeikis attended the Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh where he was a high school All-American linebacker selection. He was also a standout sprinter and shot putter on the track team.

Kurpeikis played college football at Penn State, finishing his career with 172 tackles, 17 sacks and 43 stops for losses. He also twice earned Academic All-Big Ten honors and was included in the second-team All-Big Ten in 2000.

Kurpeikis He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2001, ^[1] and spent the 2001 and 2002 seasons with the franchise. ^[2] In 2003, he joined the New England Patriots as member of practice squad and spent the 2003 and 2004 seasons with the team, ^{[3] [4] [5]} also winning Super Bowl XXXIX. ^[6] Kurpeikis spent the 2005 season as member of the Cleveland Browns practice squad. ^{[7] [8]} Kurpeikis began the 2007 season as member of NFL Europa's Hamburg Sea Devils, before signing as a free agent with the Detroit Lions on August 9, 2007. ^[9]

Coaching career

Kurpeikis served as an assistant coach with the State College ninth grade Little Lions football team in State College, Pennsylvania, leading the team to a 6–2 record overall. In a 2005 interview with Mark Harrington, Justin exclaimed that "The advice I want to give to everyone out there, "No matter up or down, you have to constantly strive for more and more and never be satisfied. People have their backs against the wall and in tough situations and they have two choices: cower or come out swinging... I would advise you all to come out swinging!"

References

1. "Four Lions Selected In NFL Draft, Kurpeikis Signs With Steelers". Penn State University Athletics. April 23, 2001. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
2. "Steelers re-sign Kurpeikis, release Cushing". archive.triblive.com. November 5, 2002. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
3. "Patriots sign LB Justin Kurpeikis to practice squad". Patriots.com. October 22, 2003. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
4. "LB Justin Kurpeikis released from Practice Squad". Patriots.com. November 7, 2003. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
5. "Patriots re-sign Justin Kurpeikis and Omare Lowe to Practice Squad". Patriots.com. December 22, 2004. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
6. "Nittany Lions Well-Represented on Super Bowl XXXIX Squads". Penn State University Athletics. January 26, 2005. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
7. McBride, Barry (September 4, 2005). "Browns Sign Five to Practice Squad". 247sports.com. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
8. "More Than 30 Former Nittany Lions on 2005 NFL Rosters". Penn State University Athletics. January 12, 2006. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
9. Doerschuk, Steve (August 17, 2007). "Browns vs. Lions at a glance". Watertown TAB. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020. Lions defensive end Justin Kurpeikis was on Cleveland's 53-man roster in 2005.