Justin Kurpeikis

Who is Justin Kurpeikis?

Justin William Kurpeikis is an American football player whose played for four NFL teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, and the Hamburg Sea Devils of Germany.

Kurpeikis played collegiately at Penn State University, finishing his career with 172 tackles, 17 sacks and 43 stops for losses. He also twice earned Academic All-Big Ten honors and was a 2000 All-Big Ten Conference first-team choice.

He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2001, and played sparingly the next 3 seasons, but did see action in the 2001 AFC Championship Game. Kurpeikis spent the 2004 and 2005 NFL seasons with the New England Patriots, appearing in 5 games. He spent the 2006 NFL season as a member of the Cleveland Browns practice squad. Kurpeikis began 2007 as a member of NFL Europa's Hamburg Sea Devils, before signing as a free agent with the Detroit Lions on August 9, 2007.

Kurpeikis attended Pittsburgh’s Central Catholic High School where he was a high-school All-America linebacker selection. He was also a standout sprinter and shot putter on the track team. Kurpeikis recently finished an assistant coaching job with the State College 9th Grade Little Lions Football Team in State College, Pennsylvania, leading the team to a 6-2 record overall. In a 2005 interview with Mark Harrington, Justin exclaims: The advice I want to give to everyone out there, "No matter up or down, you have to constantly strive for more and more and never be satisfied. People have their backs against the wall and in tough situations and they have two choices: cower or come out swinging... I would advise you all to come out swinging!"