Julius Curry
No. 26
Position:Strong safety, Punt returner
Personal information
Born: (1979-05-17) May 17, 1979
Detroit, Michigan
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
College:Michigan
Undrafted:2003
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career college statistics
Punt return yards:522
Tackles:100
Interception return yards:116
Player stats at NFL.com

Julius Justin Curry (born May 17, 1979 in Detroit, Michigan) is a former American football player. He played college football as a strong safety and punt returner for the University of Michigan from 1999 to 2002. He also played in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, and Green Bay Packers.

University of Michigan

Curry played college football at the University of Michigan from 1999 to 2002.[1][2][3][4] He was a strong safety and punt returner for the Wolverines. In his college football career, he gained 522 yards on 48 punt returns for an average of 10.9 yards per return.[4] He also accumulated 100 tackles, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and seven pass break-ups.[4]

In the 2000 game against Ohio State, Curry intercepted a pass and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown to help Michigan beat the Buckeyes, 38–26.[4]

In the 2001 Florida Citrus Bowl, Curry had a key interception to help Michigan to a 31–28 victory over Auburn. With the score tied 14–14 and Auburn driving deep in Michigan territory, Curry intercepted a Ken Leard pass at the Michigan 15-yard line and returned it 39 yards to the Auburn 46-yard line. Anthony Thomas scored a touchdown six plays later to give Michigan a 21–14 lead at halftime.[5]

As a junior, Curry had 97 return yards on four punts and a kickoff in an early season game against Washington.[4] He missed the final seven games of the 2001 season with nerve damage to his right shoulder.[6]

As a senior, Curry had the best game of his career in a 10–7 win over Utah.[7] In the Utah game, Curry intercepted two passes and returned 8 punts for a career-best 105 yards.[4] Curry's final game for Michigan was a 38–30 win over Florida in the 2003 Outback Bowl; Curry had eight tackles and a pass break-up in the game.[4]

Professional football

After being released by the Chicago Bears during the 2003 preseason,[8] Curry joined the Detroit Lions. He appeared in three games and was credited with two tackles for the Lions.[9] Curry would spend the 2004 and 2005 seasons on the Green Bay Packers' practice squad and offseason roster.[10]

NASCAR

In 2006, Curry formed Curry Racing, Inc., to compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series; Curry Racing was the first Truck Series team to feature sole African-American ownership.[11][12] However, the team would not run a race.

References

  1. ↑ "2000 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
  2. ↑ "2001 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
  3. ↑ "2002 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Michigan Football Statistic Archive Query Page". University of Michigan. Archived from the original on 2007-11-12.
  5. ↑ Jeff McIntyre (January 2, 2001). "Defenseless: Wolverines roll up 453 yards against SEC's No. 1 defense, spoil Auburn QB Ken Leard's record game". Times Daily.
  6. ↑ "Curry is ready to play". The Detroit News. December 30, 2001.
  7. ↑ "'M' Muddles Way Past Utes: Julius Curry intercepts two passes to stifle Utah and preserve 10-7 win". The Argus-Press. September 22, 2002.
  8. ↑ Haugh, David (August 26, 2003). "Toe sidelines Azumah". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Julius Curry". pro-football-reference.com.
  10. ↑ "41 Julius Curry". Green Bay Press-Gazette. July 24, 2005. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ Alex Barber (March 23, 2006). "Craven returning to truck series for limited run". Bangor Daily New.
  12. ↑ "Montgomery to Drive for Newly Formed Curry Racing". Truck Series.com. March 9, 2006.
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