Justin Pugh: 'I Just Don't Like Philly'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Justin Pugh is born and raised in the Philadelphia area.
Pugh, 26, a graduate of Council Rock High School South in Holland, PA, grew up an Eagles fan.
In 2013, the 6'4", 300-pound offensive lineman was the 19th overall pick of the New York Giants. And now he really, really dislikes the Eagles.
"I just don't like Philly, to be honest," Pugh said this week via NJ.com, ahead of Sunday's Eagles-Giants game. "I'm from there, and every time I go back there I don't get treated right, from my hometown. So it'd be nice to go get this one, and be able to show my face in my hometown when I go back to my camp this year.
"I think Philly fans try to live up to that whole, 'Oh, we threw snowballs at Santa Claus'. I think they try to live up to that. Kids, like when I was 18-years-old, you to be like, 'Oh yeah, we're Philly fans. We're ruthless.' But they're harmless. I was that kid. I can say that, because I was that 18-year-old kid that thought he was the big, bad tough, 'I'll come wherever and wear my Philly jersey.' Now, I don't like that kid that I was. Now, that kid's booing me when I come home."
The 94WIP Morning Show, on Friday, ripped Pugh for his comments. Hollis Thomas called Pugh a "pigeon."
"You're a little sensitive, it strikes me as," said Rhea Hughes. "What a baby."
"Knock him on his [expletive]!" Angelo Cataldi exclaimed. "We're not annoying, we're loyal. We live and die with our team."
Pugh is 1-5 against the Eagles in his career, as the Giants have been outscored 166 to 99 in their last six meetings with the Birds.
"We haven't beaten them since my rookie year," Pugh said via NJ.com. "I've only beaten Philly once, and obviously coming from there, there's no team I want to beat more than Philly."
