Jessie Tuggle

"THE HAMMER"

After joining Atlanta as an undrafted rookie free agent in 1987, the Jessie "The Hammer" Tuggle went on to play 13 years with the Falcons and total 2,065 career tackles – the most in team history. He earned five Pro Bowl appearances and led the Falcons in tackles in 10 of his 14 seasons, including a stretch of 12-straight 100-tackle seasons. He also led the NFL in tackles with 207 in 1991 and 201 in 1990. He holds the NFL record for most touchdowns by recovery of opponents’ fumbles with five. Tuggle finished his career ranked third on the club’s all-time list for most games played, with 209, and most starts, with 182.

ACQUIRED:

Jessie Tuggle joined the Falcons in 1987, coming to training camp that year as an undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State 

MILESTONES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Pro Career

• Third all-time in Falcons history in most seasons played with 14.
• Third all-time in Falcons history in games played at 209 and games started at 189.
• Third all-time in Falcons history in most Pro Bowl appearances with five
   (1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998).
• Fourth all-time in Falcons history in most consecutive games played with 110.
• Seventh all-time in Falcons history in most consecutive games started with 89.
• NFL record holder for most touchdowns scored by recovery of an opponent’s fumble with five.
• Falcons’ all-time tackle leader with 2,065 tackles.
• Led the team in tackles nine straight seasons from 1988-1997.
• Registered 100+ tackles for a team record 12 consecutive seasons.
• Posted two of the highest total tackles seasons in club history with 207 and 201.
• His 207 tackles in 1991 and 201 stops in 1990 led the entire NFL.
• Registered four 20+ tackle games in his career and two of the highest single-game tackle totals in team history with 24 tackles vs. Cincinnati (10-28-90) and 22 vs. New Orleans (9-29-91).
• Helped guide the Falcons to the NFC Championship and to Super Bowl XXXIII for the first time in franchise history in 1998.
• Holds the franchise playoff record for most tackles in a game with 11 in the NFC Championship Game vs. Minnesota (1/17/99).
• Jessie Tuggle Humanitarian Award was named after him by the club in 2004 for his community service over the years and will be awarded to a current Falcons player each year who displays dedication to the community.
• Played his entire career in the state of Georgia from high school (Griffin) to college (Valdosta State) to the professional ranks (Atlanta Falcons).
• His No. 58 Falcons jersey was honored by the club in 2002 at a ceremony at the Georgia Dome.
• Nicknamed “The Hammer” for the vicious way he pounded ball carriers.

Honors

• Five Pro Bowls (1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998).
• Led the NFL in tackles in 1990 (201) and 1991 (207)
• Named to Sports Illustrated’s All-Pro team in 1991
• Awarded NFC Defensive Player of the Month of December in 1991

College

• Left as Valdosta State’s all-time record holder with 340 tackles.
• Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and a three-time all-conference selection.
• His  No. 88 jersey was retired by the school in 1993.
• Valdosta State named its workout facility in his honor – Jessie Tuggle Strength & Fitness Complex

Personal

• Born April 4, 1965 in Spalding, Georgia.
• He and his wife, DuJuan, have two children; Justin and Jessica DuJuan.
• Falcons’ “Man of the Year” in 1993, United Way spokesperson in 1995-96, and “Peach of an Athlete” award winner for 1996.