 Seubert on July 28, 2007 the first day ofNew York Giants training camp at theUniversity of Albany | |||||||||
| No. 69 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Guard | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | (1979-03-30)March 30, 1979 (age 46) Stratford, Wisconsin, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 310 lb (141 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Marshfield (WI) Columbus Catholic | ||||||||
| College: | Western Illinois | ||||||||
| Undrafted: | 2001 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Richard Thomas Seubert (/ˈsɔɪbərt/; born March 30, 1979) is an American former professionalfootballguard who played his entire career with theNew York Giants of theNational Football League (NFL).
Born inStratford, Wisconsin,[1] Seubert attendedColumbus Catholic High School inMarshfield, Wisconsin, and was a standout in football, basketball, and baseball. He helped lead his football andbasketball teams to two state championships each.[2]
Seubert attended Western Illinois University and played tight end as a freshman. In his sophomore year he moved to tackle[citation needed] and was a first team All-Gateway honoree as a senior.[3]
Seubert joined theNew York Giants as an undrafted Free Agent in 2001.[4] He made an impression on the Giants, and in his second season, he started at left guard for every game.
Seubert was at the center of an officiating controversy in the 2002 NFC playoffs, where the Giants faced theSan Francisco 49ers. The Giants, who had led by a score of 38–14, were trailing 39-38 whenMatt Bryant had a chance to kick a game-winning field goal. WhenTrey Junkin botched the snap, Seubert, an eligible receiver on the play, went out to try to catch holderMatt Allen's pass. Allen underthrew Seubert, who was grabbed and pulled down byChike Okeafor, apparently drawing a pass interference penalty. Instead, an illegal man downfield penalty was called on Seubert, ending the game. The next day the NFL revealed that Seubert had checked in prior to the play, but one of his downfield teammates, Tam Hopkins, had not. Okeafor's interference call and the Hopkins call would have offset the penalties and forced a replaying of the down. The NFL drew a fair amount of criticism for the non-call on Seubert's play.[5] The NFL later issued an official apology to the Giants in the offseason.[6] The play ended up onNFL Top 10'sTop Ten Meltdowns[7] at #10 and #7 onTop Ten Controversial Calls.[8]
During a game against Philadelphia in October 2003, Seubert was blocking when his opponentN. D. Kalu stepped on the back of his right leg, breaking Seubert'stibia,fibula, and ankle.[9] After 5 surgeries,[10] he returned to play in 2005, mainly on special teams, or filling in for injured players, as Chris Snee had taken over as the starter.[4] In December, he made his first start since the injury, helpingTiki Barber rush for a team-record 220 yards.[11] He regained a starting job in the 2007 season.
The Giants began to use Seubert as atight end in 2006, but due to his jersey number (69), he must be announced over the public address system by the referees as aneligible receiver when he plays in that position. He was announced in this way roughly 20 times per game.[4]
On March 24, 2008, he signed a 3-year extension through 2012.[12]
Seubert started 16 games for the Giants in 2010, playing both guard and center. Seubert received praise for his solid performance from GM Jerry Reese, who remarked he was the MVP of the team.
On July 28, 2011, the Giants announced they released Seubert.[13]
Seubert is married and has three children. Hailey (Youngest), Isaac (Middle), and Hunter (Oldest). They live inWarren, New Jersey where he coaches football at Watchung Hills Regional High School.[14] Seubert has been adeer hunter since childhood.[15]