Meet Aaron Curry

by abender20 on Apr 28, 2009 8:43 AM PDT in Seahawks News & Rumors

Yesterday, John put together draft grades for Curry, Unger, and Butler. Today, let's comb through an article on Aaron Curry the human, as opposed to Aaron Curry the soon-to-be nouveau riche 254 pound freak of nature. The Seattle PI has the human interest story.

You've probably heard bits and pieces of the story, but Curry's mother is a high school biology teacher in Fayetville, North Carolina. She struggled to make rent while supporting three sons in college. After being evicted from her home, Aaron gained some perspective on life:

"I realized then not to take anything for granted. Because anything and everything can be taken away from you. It can be a house. It can be a car. It can be the game of football. It can be your degree. It's just amazing how that happens. Once you realize that, that's when you look at life differently. So everything I do now, I do with the same passion and emotion and work ethic that I play football with."

He's not embarrassed by the circumstance, just enlightened.

That does not sound like the kind of guy who will take his signing bonus and spend it on champagne and Bentleys. Curry is not the first NFL player to come from a tough financial background, but he does not appear to carry any baggage from any hardship. Instead, he has gained perspective and has a maturity level far above most of his peers.

Aaron Curry also has some pedigree:

Curry's father is Reggie Pinkney, who played defensive back with the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Colts from 1977 to '81. Curry downplays any role from his dad, saying "he wasn't around when I was born and was not much of an influence on what I chose to do in life."

Then comes the issue of finishing school. After his Junior season, Curry examined the opportunity to leave Wake Forest early to pursue his NFL career.

"If I'd have told her I was going (pro) no matter what she said? I wouldn't be here," he said. "She wouldn't have let it happen, just because of the importance of having an education, having that degree. And what Momma says goes. Believe that."

We've heard a few people, especially Doug Farrar, mention the great support system already in place for Aaron Curry. This is what he was talking about. I can't wait to see Curry in Seahawk Blue.

Tweet Comment 25 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I was very excited about him on draft day.

But the more I read about him and listen to what he has to say, the more impressed I become. I there anything about him that doesn’t excite you? Awesome, just awesome.

by Dukeshire on Apr 28, 2009 8:50 AM PDT reply actions

Ain't nothing wrong with being a momma's boy.

McCoy McCoy 2010

by LantermanC on Apr 28, 2009 9:11 AM PDT reply actions

I love this kid. I really do.

by Nick Andron on Apr 28, 2009 9:17 AM PDT reply actions

really awesome story.

I normally don’t get to caught up in that side of the players but that’s a really good story. Is it August yet?

by Hancock.Brett on Apr 28, 2009 9:59 AM PDT reply actions

Why would you want it to be August.

the NBA Draft and MLB Draft are coming up sometime this summer.

McCoy McCoy 2010

by LantermanC on Apr 28, 2009 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions

MLB draft, that's funny.

by Dukeshire on Apr 28, 2009 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions

A very cruel type of funny.

2 more losses from the M’s last season and it WOULD be something worth looking forward to… Strasburg.

by Terminator_X on Apr 28, 2009 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions

I hope that's some of the sarcasm I keep missing on this site.

by djafrot on Apr 28, 2009 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions

preseason

its the light and the end of the off season tunnel.

by Hancock.Brett on Apr 28, 2009 10:38 AM PDT reply actions

So true

It couldn’t come any sooner

The demise of the Broncos in '09 is our future. Pray hard.

by Nick Andron on Apr 28, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Class act.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Apr 28, 2009 10:48 AM PDT reply actions

Sad comment there about his father

Dunno why Reggie Pinckney wasn’t there for Aaron, but we should all take it as a reminder to be involved in our children’s lives.

by Mr Fish on Apr 28, 2009 11:03 AM PDT reply actions

Why?

Look at Curry, he didn’t have his father around and he turned out alright.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Apr 28, 2009 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions

I found his comment a bit weird actually.

He had court ordered visits as a child, which probably means weekends or holidays, which isn’t totally insignificant.
And I’m not sure what they’re relationship is like now, but they did have contact after high school, which makes it seems like he has a bit of an impact now on his life, but perhaps not that much because he probably wouldn’t diminish his father’s influence that much that much if they had a good relationship now.

I don’t know, as someone who has no memory of seeing his father despite him living close by, I think the importance of one is overrated; you can use it as a crutch or you can use it as a motivator.

McCoy McCoy 2010

by LantermanC on Apr 28, 2009 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions

True

I just don’t think it’s fair for any child to have to make that decision.

The demise of the Broncos in '09 is our future. Pray hard.

by Nick Andron on Apr 28, 2009 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Don't have the reference,

but Curry wants nothing to do with his father. When a reporter suggested to Curry that he inherited his talent from his father, Curry corrected the reporter saying that he got his talent from his granddad. Not that it’s any business of our’s.

by sammy on Apr 28, 2009 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions

sometimes the father isn't worth being in the kids life

hate to say it, but if the fathers a POS it’s best if he stays out of his kids life.

by B.B.Finnegan on Apr 28, 2009 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Could be,

but the kid will still feel like this probably.

McCoy McCoy 2010

by LantermanC on Apr 28, 2009 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions

life ain't a sitcom

if his Dad’s hittin the crack pipe or beatin his mom or him (verbally or physically), he’s best not being around at all

by B.B.Finnegan on Apr 28, 2009 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions

It wouldn't surprise me...

if more of Aaron’s antipathy toward his father comes from how Aaron perceived the man treated his wife, as opposed to his sons.

by Hawkish on Apr 28, 2009 1:57 PM PDT reply actions

That's often the case.

by The Ancient Mariner on Apr 28, 2009 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions

You've all got good points in one way or another but

your depressing me. Bottom line, this guy has got alot of character and talent and whatever his family went through in the past is the past. He’ll be able to buy his mom a house if need be and money is one less thing he has to worry about and it sounds like he earned it to me.

OK, now a complete change of pace. I got the idea when I was reading the “Emo Butcher” fanpost by John (didn’t have enough context to quite get it but maybe I’m just dense?).

I did a little thinking and BAM! Genius!

“SUGIMASU!” If I translated this correctly (if anybody knows Japanese please check) this means “Too Spicy” just think of it Curry lays somebody out with a crushing hit and the entire crowd screams- one side “SUGI” and the other “MASU” Maybe it’s just me but an entire crowd screaming “too spicy” after a big hit would be funny as hell.

by hawkfanjp on Apr 28, 2009 5:12 PM PDT reply actions

Here's a good quote from Curry on MMQB

"Countless hours in the weight room. Countless hours in the cafeteria.’’

Reminds me of college spending 2 hours at the all you can eat cafeteria for brunch. Can never have too many waffles, pancakes, and eggs, bacon, sausage, cheese, hashbrown, butter bagel sandwiches.

McCoy McCoy 2010

by LantermanC on Apr 28, 2009 10:13 PM PDT reply actions

ABENDER!!! thank you for this piece.

This is a guy the Seahawks WANT representing the franchise. The human interest side is more than just foo-foo feel good stuff. Aaron Curry is the kind of player other FA’s will want to play next to for years to come.

Bring Your Game, Leave Your Name.

by iverson2169 on Apr 28, 2009 10:23 PM PDT reply actions

All those teeth and no tooth brush

I just hope he hits like Bobby Boucher too! I love Momma’s boys in football pads!

Another thing- while his Mother wasn’t wealthy, and she wasn’t good at paying bills (like rent)- she is a well educated woman who has a good job. Biology teachers play an important role for all of us. So, this is a strong woman here.

by Section 128 on Apr 29, 2009 8:49 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs