Rich Seubert

Richard T. "Rich" Seubert (/ˈsɔɪbərt/; born March 30, 1979) is a former American football guard. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants out of Western Illinois University in 2001. He spent his entire career with the Giants.

High school career

Seubert was born in Stratford, Wisconsin attended Columbus Catholic High School in Marshfield, Wisconsin, and was a standout in football, basketball, and baseball. He helped lead his football and basketball teams to two state championships each.

College career

Seubert attended Western Illinois University and played tight end as a freshman. In his sophomore year he moved to tackle and was a first team All-Gateway honoree as a senior.

Professional career

Seubert joined the New York Giants as an undrafted Free Agent in 2001. He made an impression on the Giants, and in his second season, he started at left guard for every game.

Seubert was at the center of an officiating controversy in the 2002 NFC playoffs, where the Giants faced the San Francisco 49ers. The Giants, who had led by a score of 38-14, were trailing 39-38 when Matt Bryant had a chance to kick a game winning field goal. When Trey Junkin botched the snap, Seubert, an eligible receiver on the play, went out to try to catch holder Matt Allen's pass. Allen underthrew Seubert, who was grabbed and pulled down by Chike Okeafor, apparently drawing a pass interference penalty. Instead, an illegal man downfield penalty was called on Seubert, ending the game. The next day the NFL revealed that Seubert had checked in prior to the play, but one of his downfield teammates, Tam Hopkins, had not. Okeafor's interference call and the Hopkins call would have offset the penalties and forced a replaying of the down. The NFL drew a fair amount of criticism for the non-call on Seubert's play. The NFL later issued an official apology to the Giants in the offseason. The play ended up on NFL Top 10's Top Ten Meltdowns at #10 and #7 on Top Ten Controversial Calls.