David Tyree
David Mikel Tyree (born January 3, 1980) is an American former professional football wide receiver best known for executing "the Helmet Catch" during Super Bowl XLII.[1][2] On February 3, 2008, with the New York Giants trailing the undefeated New England Patriots 10-7 and facing third-and-five at the Patriots' 44-yard line, quarterback Eli Manning escaped pressure and threw a desperation pass to Tyree, who leaped and pinned the ball against his helmet to secure a 32-yard completion, setting up the game-winning touchdown in a 17-14 Giants victory.[2][3] This improbable play remains one of the most iconic moments in NFL history, propelling an underdog Giants team to the franchise's third Super Bowl title.[2] Tyree, a sixth-round draft pick (211th overall) out of Syracuse University in 2003, spent six seasons with the Giants (2003-2008), recording 54 receptions for 650 yards and five touchdowns while contributing on special teams and defense with 75 tackles.[1] He appeared in one Pro Bowl following the 2005 season and briefly played for the Baltimore Ravens in 2009 before retiring due to injuries.[1] A devout Christian whose faith shaped his personal turnaround from early-life struggles including a single-parent household and legal troubles, Tyree has emphasized biblical principles in public life, including advocacy for traditional marriage as essential to societal stability, stating that legalizing same-sex marriage would lead to "anarchy" by undermining gender roles modeled for children.[4][5] These views, rooted in his conversion to Christianity, drew criticism from LGBT advocacy groups like the Human Rights Campaign upon his 2014 hiring as the Giants' director of player development, though he affirmed support for any teammate regardless of sexual orientation.[6][7] Following his playing career, Tyree worked in NFL player engagement roles before serving as the Giants' director of player development from 2014 to 2019, where he mentored young athletes on life skills and faith.[4][8] Since 2019, he has pursued entrepreneurship, sports analysis—including co-hosting "Odds with Ends" on MSG Networks—and charitable work, such as serving on the board of Children of the City to support urban families, while raising seven children with his wife of over two decades.[4]Early Life and Education
Childhood and Family Background
David Tyree was born on January 3, 1980, in Livingston, New Jersey.[9] Following his parents' divorce during his early years, Tyree was raised primarily by his mother, Thelma Tyree, alongside his two older sisters in a modest one-bedroom house in Montclair, New Jersey.[10][11] The family had previously resided in East Orange before relocating to Montclair, where Thelma Tyree supported her children through determination amid financial challenges.[12][13] Tyree's upbringing emphasized resilience and familial bonds, with his mother playing a central role as both provider and motivator; she later described herself as his "first fan" in his athletic pursuits.[13] The household's limited space and resources fostered a grounded environment, though specific details on his father's involvement post-divorce remain undocumented in primary accounts.[10] Early interests included youth football, where Tyree participated with the Montclair Cobras, laying initial groundwork for his sports involvement before high school.[14]High School Athletics at Montclair High
David Tyree attended Montclair High School in Montclair, New Jersey, where he excelled in football as a wide receiver and defensive back.[15] Over his high school career, he recorded 50 receptions for 914 yards and 13 touchdowns offensively, while contributing 157 tackles and 12 sacks on defense.[15] He was named the team's Offensive Player of the Year and earned a full athletic scholarship to Syracuse University upon graduating in 1998.[4][15] In 1996, Tyree played a key role in Montclair High's New Jersey Group IV, Section II state championship victory, catching a pass for the team's first touchdown in the title game.[16] His versatility on both sides of the ball highlighted his athletic prowess, though specific seasonal breakdowns remain limited in available records from school and state archives. Tyree also competed in track and field, specializing in sprints. At the NJSIAA Meet of Champions, he placed third in the 400-meter dash with a time of 50.66 seconds.[17] He set a school record in the 200-meter dash at 22.17 seconds during his senior year in 1998, demonstrating speed that complemented his football agility.[18] While basketball participation is occasionally referenced in local athlete retrospectives, no verified stats or primary achievements in that sport were documented for Tyree at Montclair High.[19]College Career at Syracuse University
Tyree joined the Syracuse Orange football team as a wide receiver after being recruited from Montclair High School in New Jersey, playing from 1999 to 2002 as a four-year letterwinner.[20] He also contributed on special teams, notably blocking six punts over his career.[20] In 46 games across four seasons, Tyree amassed 75 receptions for 1,214 yards and six receiving touchdowns, finishing his career ranked 13th in Syracuse history for receiving yards at the time.[21][20] He added minor rushing contributions with four carries for 35 yards and returned four punts for 70 yards, including one touchdown.[21] His performance peaked in his senior year of 2002, when he recorded 36 receptions for 559 yards and three touchdowns, ranking seventh in the Big East Conference in receiving yards and third in yards per reception (15.5).[21] In 2000, he tied for third in the conference for punt return touchdowns (one).[21]| Year | Games | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 11 | 7 | 89 | 0 |
| 2000 | 11 | 14 | 333 | 3 |
| 2001 | 12 | 18 | 233 | 0 |
| 2002 | 12 | 36 | 559 | 3 |
| Career | 46 | 75 | 1,214 | 6 |