Super Story

It’s a photograph that gave the social media universe a look inside Vinny Curry’s soul. Right after his Philadelphia Eagles had beaten the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, there he sat, still wearing his 75 jersey, in the middle of US Bank Stadium. Amid a flurry of midnight green confetti, Curry was at peace. Jubilation, exhilaration, satisfaction and pride were etched on his face, his tired body parked at the 48-yard line.

“I don’t think I was even thinking,” Curry said in an exclusive interview for Marshall Magazine just three days after the Super Bowl win.

In retrospect, he was.

“There’s so much passion, emotion, hard work and sacrifice that you go through in life and the sports world,” Curry said. “Then, to reap the benefits and rewards, the feeling was … just unreal.”

For him, the home of the Vikings became “Vinny-apolis” for a day. That’s apropos when you’re living out a dream — a dream born in his hometown of Neptune, New Jersey.

Growing up in a town where New York Giants fans reign supreme, Curry was always an Eagles fan. He idolized Rickey Watters, Brian Westbrook and Brian Dawkins. He knew that football could be a way out. But he also knew he had to avoid the dangers indigenous to his neighborhood — those dangers that constantly whisper your name and hope you’re listening. His dad Vincent and mom Linda always hoped Vinny would sidestep the land mines. During Super Bowl week, he opened up to Bleacher Report’s Tyler Dunner and said those mean streets even claimed his mom for a time:

For two years, she was homeless and hooked on heroin. Curry’s friends never quite understood why he was talking to this random woman in the streets when they prowled about town. That is, until one frigid day when Curry spotted mom and asked a friend to pull over. He handed her money and a jacket and said to find shelter.

“It was my first time ever talking about my story,” Curry said of the Bleacher Report article. “It was definitely not easy, but it was the first time talking about it and it was cool to get it off my chest.”

Cissy Jackson would escape the demons and re-take her life. She would watch with pride as her son went on to prep school in Cincinnati and then landed at Marshall in 2007. He didn’t know much about Huntington, but the city recognizes a football legend when it sees one. Vinny Curry had found his home away from home.

“When I first got to Marshall, I was big on learning the legacy and history of the school,” Curry said. “And knowing the history of the football program, I was touched by how the fans accepted me, and how the whole community embraced me. For me to give back and do the things I’m doing, it’s just awesome.”

One of the ways Curry has given back to Marshall was a $200,000 gift last summer to fund the Vinny Curry locker room project. He also gives back symbolically. When it came time to pick a jersey number for the Eagles, he chose No. 75 in memory of the 75 football players, coaches, staff and fans lost in the 1970 Marshall plane crash. What’s more, he often dons Thundering Herd attire when being interviewed by the media after big Philadelphia wins. After the NFC Championship win over the Minnesota Vikings, Curry sported his Herd letterman jacket and Marshall ski cap.

“I didn’t think it was going to go mainstream or anything,” Curry said of his postgame gear. “I just knew it was a big game and I thought, ‘What should I wear?’ I picked my Marshall jacket and hat.”

He has become an NFL ambassador for his alma mater, spreading the word of the Herd with a smile as wide as his wing span.

Cissy Jackson passed away in 2011 in the middle of football season. One day after he returned from his mom’s funeral, he was faced with a decision. Without practicing all week, he had to decide if he should play against Rice, or sit the game out.

“We got him home from the funeral,” Marshall Coach Doc Holliday recalled, “and I asked him if he wanted to play. That was his decision. Initially he said ‘no’ but then he thought about it and said he wanted to play.”

And play he did. Curry had nine tackles, 3-1/2 sacks and a strip fumble that led to Marshall’s 24-20 win over Rice. As much as a defensive player can take over a game, Curry put the Herd on his considerable shoulders and dominated the football game.

“He played as good a game from a defensive lineman that I’ve ever seen.” Holliday said.

Curry was drafted in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Prior to the 2016 season, Eagles’ Head Coach Doug Pederson and new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz changed the defensive scheme from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3. That would play more to Curry’s talents, and Philadelphia’s ownership rewarded him with a $46 million contract, with $23 million guaranteed. But he said his life was enhanced beyond riches when in May of 2016, his son Noah Vincent Curry was born. What a time to be Vinny Curry.

As he basked in the aftermath of the Eagles’ Super Bowl triumph, Curry was met by another Marshall legend. A certain newly-elected NFL Hall of Famer wanted to see him for a moment.

“Randy Moss greeted me with a great big hug,” Curry said, “and I think he’s the greatest receiver to ever play the game. He told me, ‘I’ve been following you your whole career, and you deserve this.’”

Curry acknowledges that the Super Bowl was the culmination of years of perseverance, but his career isn’t over yet. He has recently signed to play with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he is quick to point out that through it all he has never forgotten his roots.

“I play for my mom, my dad and my family. I play for my son Noah, for Neptune and Huntington. I play for green and white fans everywhere, whether they are supporters of the Eagles, Buccaneers or the Thundering Herd.” 

Keith Morehouse is the sports director for WSAZ NewsChannel 3 in Huntington.