New York Giants fans haven't had much to laugh about through the first six weeks of the NFL season. A combination of inconsistent play and a rash of injuries to key contributors has culminated in a 1-5 record after losing in Buffalo on "Sunday Night Football."
But long-time Giant Justin Pugh, who was a free agent before rejoining the team that drafted him in 2013, did his best to bring levity to the situation during his introduction as a starter.
"Justin Pugh, straight off the couch." pic.twitter.com/IC2aAe8CVB
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 16, 2023
While the introductions are traditionally used for players to tell the audience their name and alma mater, Pugh is not the first player to get more creative with it.
Hall-of-Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez famously did "Scarface," and "Anchorman," impressions during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons.
Tony Gonzalez' Scarface intro though (via @thecheckdown, cc: @TonyGonzalez88) pic.twitter.com/yIuJZhtEvo
— Fanatics View (@fanaticsview) December 2, 2017
Former Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs was known for declaring his alma mater as "Ball So Hard University," and then-Broncos defensive lineman Michael Bennett once gave a shoutout to the movie "Black Panther," with an exclamation of "Wakanda forever!"
Which is your favorite intro?
— ESPN (@espn) September 30, 2019
(via @thecheckdown)pic.twitter.com/MsCfiuQvWV
More recently, current New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams went viral for introducing himself as "Swag Kazekage, leader of the hidden village of the den," a reference to the manga and anime "Naruto," while playing with the Detroit Lions.
There's way too much going on here with this Jamaal Williams intro pic.twitter.com/76ihrZzY1y
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 9, 2023
Despite bringing Pugh in "from the couch" and starting Tyrod Taylor at quarterback, the Giants arguably should have won the game. What appeared to be a poor audible from Taylor prevented New York from extending their 6-0 lead going into halftime after Buffalo stuffed Saquon Barkley at the goal line and time ran out.
New York found itself in a nearly identical situation to end the game after a pass interference penalty on Buffalo gave the Giants an untimed down at the one. This time they took to the air but were stopped by what appeared to be an uncalled penalty, with Buffalo's Taron Johnson getting a handful of tight end Darren Waller's jersey as he jumped for the ball.
#Giants decided to throw it on the final play of the game from the 1-yard line and Darren Waller couldn't bring it down. The #Bills survive.pic.twitter.com/EMTqBllznH
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 16, 2023
While it appears the magic that led the Giants to the playoffs last season is gone, at least their fans got a chance to have a laugh. That could be as positive as the season gets for them.
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