Syracuse Football: Alum David Tyree, a Super Bowl hero, leaving Giants

Former Syracuse football player David Tyree, known for his famous Super Bowl helmet catch, isn’t on the New York Giants staff any longer.

David Tyree, who suited up for Syracuse football from 1999 to 2002 and played a critical role in the New York Giants’ stunning Super Bowl upset of the New England Patriots in 2008, has left the Giants organization.

According to ESPN.com and numerous other media reports, Tyree is no longer with the Giants as the team’s director of player development, a role that he had held since 2014.

Tyree played for the Giants from 2003 to 2008, while also competing for the Baltimore Ravens during one season before retiring from the NFL in 2010.

Per ESPN.com, Tyree will now focus his efforts on a Clean Juice shop in Morristown, N.J. According to his bio on cuse.com, Tyree’s hometown is in Montclair, N.J.

In his career on the Hill, as a wide receiver Tyree hauled in a total of 75 receptions for 1,214 yards and six touchdowns, says his bio on the ‘Cuse athletics department Web site. He also returned three punts for 45 yards.

Following his tenure with the Orange, the Giants selected Tyree in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft.

Former Syracuse football player David Tyree made his mark in a shocking Super Bowl conquest.

Super Bowl XLII proved a defining moment for Tyree as a pro. The Giants, a wild-card entrant into the playoffs, went into that Super Bowl in February of 2008 as a huge underdog to the undefeated Patriots.

In the fourth quarter, with about 2.5 minutes remaining in the contest and trailing 14–10, New York drove more than 80 yards and picked up the go-ahead touchdown with roughly 30 seconds to go.

As part of that epic drive, Tyree made a ridiculous 32-yard reception on third down. His leaping, one-handed catch included pinning the football with his right hand to the crown of his helmet. It was truly a sight to see.

"The ESPN.com article says that the 40-year-old Tyree “played in 83 games with five starts. He was primarily a special-teams standout, making the Pro Bowl in 2005. He finished with 54 catches, 650 yards and four receiving touchdowns during his professional career.”"

His decision to leave the Giants as director of player development comes as the squad has reorganized its “player engagement area this offseason,” according to ESPN.com.

That story and other media reports said that Dr. Lani Lawrence, New York’s director of wellness and clinical services, is now involved in player development and engagement, too.

From all of us in Orange Nation, best of luck with your future endeavors, David!