Joe Jurevicius

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=Cleveland Browns
currentnumber=84
currentposition=Wide receiver
birthdate=birth date and age|1974|12|23
birthplace=Cleveland, Ohio
heightft=6
heightin=5
weight=230
debutyear=1998
debutteam=New York Giants
college=Penn State
draftyear=1998
draftround=2
draftpick=55
pastteams=
* New York Giants (1998-2001)
* Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002-2004)
* Seattle Seahawks (2005)
* Cleveland Browns (2006-present)
status=Reserve/PUP
highlights=
* Super Bowl champion (XXXVII)
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Receptions
statvalue1=323
statlabel2=Receiving Yards
statvalue2=4,119
statlabel3=Touchdowns
statvalue3=29
nfl=JUR075490

Joseph Michael Jurevicius (born December 23, 1974 in city-state|Cleveland|Ohio) is an American football wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Penn State.

Jurevicius has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks. He earned a Super Bowl ring with the Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII.

Early years

Jurevicius attended Lake Catholic High School in Mentor, Ohio, and was a letterman in football as a wide receiver/punter and in basketball. Has #84 jersey retired and hanging in Lake Catholic gym.

College career

Jurevicius played college football at Pennsylvania State University. He finished his college career with 94 receptions for 1,894 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Professional career

New York Giants

Jurevicius was selected by the New York Giants in the second round (55th overall) in the 1998 NFL Draft. He played four seasons with the New York Giants through the 2002 season. During his time in New York he played in 58 games, scoring five touchdowns and totaling 1,442 receiving yards. He played in the Giants' 34-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV, but did not record any receptions.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In 2002, Jurevicius signed a four-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an unrestricted free agent. In the 2002 NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles, he took a crossing pattern 71 yards down to the Eagles' five-yard line. In Super Bowl XXXVII, Jurevicius led the Buccaneers in receiving yards with four catches for 78 yards as Tampa Bay won 48-21 won over the Oakland Raiders.

Jurevicius left Tampa Bay following the 2004 season. He played in 30 games for the team, recording 874 yards receiving and eight touchdowns.

eattle Seahawks

In 2005, Jurevicius signed with the Seattle Seahawks. He finished the regular season with a career-high 10 touchdowns with 694 receiving yards, leading the team in touchdowns and coming in second in yards. He also had a career-high 137 yard against the St. Louis Rams. He led the Seahawks in receiving with five catches for 93 yards in their 21-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XL.

Cleveland Browns

On March 11, 2006, Jurevicius signed a four-year contract with his hometown team, the Cleveland Browns.

In 2008, Jurevicius spent the preseason on the Active/PUP list. On August 25, he was transferred to the Reserve/PUP list, forcing him to miss the first six weeks of the regular season.

Personal

Jurevicius lives in Pepper Pike, Ohio with his wife, Meagan, and two daughters. His infant son, Michael William Jurevicius, died on March 24 2003 from sialidosis, a neurodegenerative disease. He dedicates each of his touchdowns to Michael, either pointing upward to the sky, or throwing the ball into the air. Since his son's early passing Jurevicius has been an ardent supporter of the March of Dimes, and a scholarship has been established in his son's name.

Jurevicius has a tattoo of Vytis, the national symbol of Lithuania on his right biceps. He is of Lithuanian descent. He earned a degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State University in 1997.

Jurevicius has appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated twice: August 25, 1997 and February 3, 2003.

References

External links

* [http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/player.php?id=485 Cleveland Browns bio]