greg.mcilvain@gaflnews.com



VALDOSTA — Jessie Tuggle’s been all-state, all-America and all-pro.

Now add another honor to his resume. The former Valdosta State and Atlanta Falcons’ football player is being honored this weekend as VSU’s Distinguished Alumnus for 2002.

“This honor is a little separate from football in a sense. I’ve gotten so many awards from being a football player,” Tuggle said during a break in his busy Friday, which included a golf tournament, a parade and the dinner where he was recognized by the school. “Being recognized by your university and your peers, it means a great deal to me. It goes right up there with being named all-pro or all-America. It lets you know what people think about you.”

After 14 years playing linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons, Tuggle’s a family man these days. Along with his wife, DuJuan, they’re raising their two children, Justin, 12, and Jessica, 10.

Tuggle is defensive coordinator for Justin’s youth football team and watches Jessica play competitive tennis.

“I’m taking it easy, letting my body heal,” Tuggle said. “And I’m trying to raise my kids and participate in what they’re doing these days. The time I spend with my kids now is quality time. You don’t get that back.”

Tuggle played at Valdosta State from 1983-86, lettering all four years and starting for three. It was also his first chance to be away from his Griffin home.

“Valdosta State means a great deal to me. I came here when I was 18 years old,” he said. “It set a foundation for me to be successful.

“I didn’t have an idea what to do with my life other than play football. Being here directed me to be a successful football player and a successful person.”

It took a few years to complete the academic side of his Valdosta State story. After establishing himself as one of the NFL’s best linebackers, he returned to Valdosta to finish is Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1992.

“When you dedicate so many years to something, you want to be successful,” Tuggle said. “My main objective was to graduate, to be the first from my immediate family to graduate from college.

“I wasn’t really satisfied. I wanted to set a good example for my children.”

He’s continued to help the university, including contributions to the athletic department’s weight room which bears his name and an endowment for a football scholarship.

His No. 88 is one of two retired numbers by the VSU program, and he was elected to the school’s athletic hall of fame in 1997.

And he now watches the program which was in its early years during his playing career grow into one of Division II’s best. His last Blazer team, in 1986, went 9-2 but just missed the national playoffs.

“(Current head coach Chris Hatcher) has started getting them ranked and people are recognizing the university. The program has really improved,” Tuggle said. “There used to be a point where I’d tell people I went to Valdosta State, and they’d say that’s where they have that good high school team. People are able to recognize where Valdosta is and where Valdosta State is.

“Chris Hatcher, being a former player, has got some really great ideas for this program. And this program still has a long way to go and Chris realizes that. He has them on the right path.”