Julius Curry
Encyclopedia
Julius Justin Curry is a former American football
player. He played college football
as a strong safety and punt returner
for the University of Michigan
from 1999 to 2002. He also played professional football for the Detroit Lions
during the 2003 NFL season
. In 2006, he formed Curry Racing, the first NASCAR
racing team with sole minority ownership.
at the University of Michigan
from 1999 to 2002. He was a strong safety and punt returner
for the Wolverines. In his college football career, he gained 522 yards on 48 punt returns for an average of 10.9 yards per return. He also accumulated 100 tackles, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and seven pass break-ups.
In the 2000 game against Ohio State
, Curry intercepted a pass and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown to help Michigan beat the Buckeyes, 38–26.
In the 2001 Florida Citrus Bowl
, Curry had a key interception to help Michigan to a 31–28 victory over Auburn
. With the score tied 14–14 and Auburn driving deep in Michigan territory, Curry intercepted a Ken Leard pass at the Michigan 15-yard line and returned it 39 yards to the Auburn 46-yard line. Anthony Thomas
scored scored a touchdown six plays later to give Michigan a 21–14 lead at halftime.
As a junior, Curry had 97 return yards on four punts and a kickoff in an early season game against Washington. He missed the final seven games of the 2001 season with nerve damage to his right shoulder.
As a senior, Curry had the best game of his career in a 10–7 win over Utah
. In the Utah game, Curry intercepted two passes and returned 8 punts for a career-best 105 yards. Curry's final game for Michigan was a 38–30 win over Florida
in the 2003 Outback Bowl
; Curry had eight tackles and a pass break-up in the game.
in the 2003 NFL season
. He appeared in three games and was credited with two tackles for the Lions.
Craftsman Truck Series
. Curry Racing became the first team in NASCAR racing with sole minority ownership.
In May 2009, Curry was acquitted by a jury after being charged with stealing $100,000 in a case arising out of a real estate project.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
as a strong safety and punt returner
Punt returner
Punt returner is a position on special teams in American football.-Description:The role of a punt returner is to catch the ball after it is punted and to give his team good field position by returning it. Before catching the punted ball, the returner must assess the situation on the field while...
for the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
from 1999 to 2002. He also played professional football for the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
during the 2003 NFL season
2003 NFL season
-Milestones:The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the season:-Team:-Individual:-Awards:-External Links:**-References:*NFL Record and Fact Book *...
. In 2006, he formed Curry Racing, the first NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
racing team with sole minority ownership.
University of Michigan
Curry played college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
from 1999 to 2002. He was a strong safety and punt returner
Punt returner
Punt returner is a position on special teams in American football.-Description:The role of a punt returner is to catch the ball after it is punted and to give his team good field position by returning it. Before catching the punted ball, the returner must assess the situation on the field while...
for the Wolverines. In his college football career, he gained 522 yards on 48 punt returns for an average of 10.9 yards per return. He also accumulated 100 tackles, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and seven pass break-ups.
In the 2000 game against Ohio State
2000 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 2000 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 2000-2001. The Buckeyes compiled a 8–4 record, including a 38–26 loss to rival Michigan in Columbus in the regular season finale and a 24–7 loss to the South Carolina...
, Curry intercepted a pass and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown to help Michigan beat the Buckeyes, 38–26.
In the 2001 Florida Citrus Bowl
2001 Florida Citrus Bowl
The 2001 Florida Citrus Bowl was a college football bowl game held on January 1, 2001 at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The Michigan Wolverines, co-champions of the Big Ten Conference, defeated the Auburn Tigers, champions of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, 31-28. ...
, Curry had a key interception to help Michigan to a 31–28 victory over Auburn
2000 Auburn Tigers football team
The 2000 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season. They finished the season with a 9–4 record and won the Southeastern Conference West Division championship...
. With the score tied 14–14 and Auburn driving deep in Michigan territory, Curry intercepted a Ken Leard pass at the Michigan 15-yard line and returned it 39 yards to the Auburn 46-yard line. Anthony Thomas
Anthony Thomas (American football)
Anthony Jermaine Thomas is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the running backs coach at at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Thomas was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
scored scored a touchdown six plays later to give Michigan a 21–14 lead at halftime.
As a junior, Curry had 97 return yards on four punts and a kickoff in an early season game against Washington. He missed the final seven games of the 2001 season with nerve damage to his right shoulder.
As a senior, Curry had the best game of his career in a 10–7 win over Utah
Utah Utes football
The Utah Utes football program is a college football team that currently competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I and represents the University of Utah. The Utah college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Rice–Eccles...
. In the Utah game, Curry intercepted two passes and returned 8 punts for a career-best 105 yards. Curry's final game for Michigan was a 38–30 win over Florida
2002 Florida Gators football team
The 2002 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2002 college football season...
in the 2003 Outback Bowl
2003 Outback Bowl
The 2003 Outback Bowl was a college football bowl game held on January 1, 2003 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Michigan Wolverines, third place finishers in the Big Ten Conference, defeated the Florida Gators, who finished second the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference,...
; Curry had eight tackles and a pass break-up in the game.
Professional football
Curry played professional football for the Detroit LionsDetroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
in the 2003 NFL season
2003 NFL season
-Milestones:The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the season:-Team:-Individual:-Awards:-External Links:**-References:*NFL Record and Fact Book *...
. He appeared in three games and was credited with two tackles for the Lions.
NASCAR
In 2006, Curry formed Curry Racing, Inc., to compete in the NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Craftsman Truck Series
Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing...
. Curry Racing became the first team in NASCAR racing with sole minority ownership.
In May 2009, Curry was acquitted by a jury after being charged with stealing $100,000 in a case arising out of a real estate project.