We sat down with a young man who rose from a small town in New Jersey to superstardom before our very eyes at Marshall University.
Interview by Keith Morehouse
HQ 79 | AUTUMN 2012
Getting out of Neptune, N.J., and becoming a star is not an easy undertaking. The little township on the Jersey shore has produced actors Jack Nicholson and Danny DeVito, but the script was different for Vinny Curry. His upbringing was a lesson in taking the right path and steering away from trouble. His mom, Linda “Sissy” Jackson, and his dad, Vincent Curry Sr., provided the moral compass to help him follow the road less traveled out of Neptune.
Curry used football as a ticket out of town. He was a star at Neptune High School; in fact, he’s listed as one of the school’s famous graduates. He then played a year at Harmony Prep School in Cincinnati and signed with Marshall. Discrepancies in his ACT and SAT scores raised a red flag for the NCAA Clearinghouse, and Curry had to sit out his first year at Marshall. But he stayed to prove to himself and to the NCAA that he could handle a college load and college tailbacks at the same time.
Did he ever.
Curry came into the 2012 season wearing Conference USA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year expectations around his neck. Try on these numbers: 77 tackles, 22 for loss, 11 sacks, seven forced fumbles and three blocked kicks. Curry won the Defensive Player of the Year honors from CUSA and made several All-American teams as second team defensive end. He finished his career making first team on the Football Writers Association All-American team. Curry’s college career wrapped up with a stellar performance in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
On April 26, the 6-foot-3-inch, 266-pound All-American defensive end from Marshall was chosen as the 59th overall pick in the NFL draft – a second-round selection by the Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia didn’t need a defensive end; the Eagles have two pro-bowl-caliber defensive ends in Jason Babin and Trent Cole. They picked Curry because he was the best available player left in the draft.
Vinny Curry is not only an All-American athlete but also an All-American guy in general. Funny when he wants to be, he dressed up as wrestler Ric Flair on the Tuesday before Halloween to address the media. His smile almost spans the width of his shoulder pads. Quite simply, he’s got an engaging personality to mix with his considerable talent. We talked with Curry before training camp began at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Penn., the most important summer camp of his life.
For Vinny Curry, showtime begins this fall just a short trip from Neptune, down 1-195 and the Jersey Turnpike, in Philadelphia.
What was it like growing up in Neptune, N.J.?
It’s about an hour and a half from Philadelphia, and it’s a small town. But actually, there was a lot of gang activity there.
What kept you out of trouble?
My dad (Vincent Curry Sr.) kept me sane. I dared myself to be different. Sports kept me away from all that. You just know better. Going to prep school at Harmony Prep in Cincinnati helped me mature. Then being at Marshall made me realize there’s more to the world than just Neptune. I came to Marshall as a boy and left as a grown man.
What went through your mind when you heard your name announced at the NFL draft?
I’ve been dreaming about the NFL draft since I was a kid. When your name pops up on the screen it’s an unbelievable feeling. I’m a competitor, though; my goal now is to make a big impact.
You signed a four-year deal with the Eagles on May 9. Have you bought anything expensive yet?
I’ve really kind of laid low; I paid back some of my loans for college. I’m just trying to save my money.
It seems like Philadelphia in general and Eagles fans in particular have taken a liking to you already.
It’s been real good; they’re definitely first-class fans. They have a reputation in Philly but everyone wants to win. The fans will know I’ll lay it on the line for them.
Players say football is a business at this level. But you can still have fun playing the game, right?
When they talk about the business aspect, they mean you are the business. You have to take care of your body on your own. When practice starts, you better be ready. They expect you to be a professional – but at the end of the day, it’s still football.
Have you experienced any rookie hazing?
I just make sure the refrigerator’s filled in the meeting room, so it’s not too bad. You don’t want to try too hard – you just ask questions and try to earn your teammates’ respect.
What is your favorite memory of a game at Marshall?
People always think of the Rice game. (Curry had three-and-a-half sacks and a late forced fumble that helped Marshall to its winning drive, just days after going home for his mother’s funeral. He got back to Huntington the Friday before the game.) But I’d have to say my favorite memory was the Southern Miss game my senior year (a 26-20 Marshall win). In my mind, we were the conference champion because we beat the conference champion. The whole week was intense, almost like a bowl game week.
What did you like most about living in Huntington?
So many different things – I miss my teammates, I miss my friends. They were my extended family. I miss the food in Huntington, too. Fat Patty’s was my favorite.
Did you have a favorite professor at Marshall?
Dr. Bob Sawrey for history. He was one of the best.
Earlier in the summer you changed your number to 75, not realizing at the time how special that number is to Marshall football fans because of the 75 who died in the 1970 Marshall plane crash. How did you feel when you eventually realized the significance?
I could have picked any number, but I picked 75 because some great pass rushers had that number. Realizing what that number means at Marshall, I feel like I still have the Herd fans with me.
What’s your goal this season in Philadelphia?
To battle. That’s why we’re in camp. I want to make the roster and help any way I can. In our room (defensive ends), everyone’s full throttle. We have a couple of pro bowlers in that room.
Any message you’d like to leave for Herd fans?
I would like to say thank you for all the support, and keep supporting the Marshall football program. And come see me play, because I know Herd fans travel. That’s one thing I remember about playing in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. – there were so many Herd fans there. They’re unbelievable.
