Julius Curry
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| Position: | Strong safety, Punt returner | ||||||||
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| Date of birth: | May 17, 1979 | ||||||||
| Place of birth: | Detroit, Michigan | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 195 lb (88 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| College: | Michigan | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Julius Justine 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 professional football for the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers from 2003–2007. In 2006, he formed Curry Racing, the first African American in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as sole minority owner.
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
Curry played professional football for the Chicago bears, Detroit Lions from 2003-2005 NFL season and Green Bay Packers 005-2007 . He appeared in three games and was credited with two tackles for the Lions.[8]
NASCAR
In 2006, Curry formed Curry Racing, Inc., to compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Curry Racing became the African American team in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as sole minority ownership.[9][10]
In May 2009, Curry was acquitted by a jury after being charged with stealing $100,000 in a case arising out of a real estate project.[11]
References
- ↑ "2000 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
- ↑ "2001 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
- ↑ "2002 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Michigan Football Statistic Archive Query Page". University of Michigan.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Curry is ready to play". The Detroit News. December 30, 2001.
- ↑ "'M' Muddles Way Past Utes: Julius Curry intercepts two passes to stifle Utah and preserve 10-7 win". The Argus-Press. September 22, 2002.
- ↑ "Julius Curry". pro-football-reference.com.
- ↑ Alex Barber (March 23, 2006). "Craven returning to truck series for limited run". Bangor Daily New.
- ↑ "Montgomery to Drive for Newly Formed Curry Racing". Truck Series.com. March 9, 2006.
- ↑ "Former NFL player acquitted". Ottumwa Courier. May 5, 2009.