Osi Umenyiora in talks for one-day contract to retire With New York Giants

Photo Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images

Osi Umenyiora, the 6-foot-3, 255 pound outside linebacker might very well soon retire a New York Giant. The dominant pass rusher was a major contributor to two Superbowl victories with the Giants in XLII and XLVI. Drafted by the team in 2003, Umenyiora retiring with the team that drafted him is a fitting end to a storied career.

Umenyiora got to the NFL in an improbable way. Born in London, England, the Nigerian immigrant would live in his homeland before his parents moved to Georgia. The 33-year-old played for Troy University before being drafted 56th overall in the second round.

In 2005, Umenyiora recorded 14.5 sacks and 70 tackles; a performance that earned him a trip to Hawaii in the Pro-Bowl and a $41 million dollar contract.

Umenyiora, teammate Justin Tuck, and the rest of the G-unit combined for a league leading 53 sacks in a year that culminated with a victory over the heavily favored New England Patriots. Osi was, in part, responsible for preventing Tom Brady from ever getting comfortable in that game.

Umenyiora tweeted about his school in Nigeria recently, showing his fans a picture of himself as a young boy. This is the embodiment of the American Dream; if you work hard, stay dedicated to your passion, and believe in yourself, you can become something great.

2nd row, all the way to the right. Nigerian primary school days!!!! pic.twitter.com/dX71jdqsga

— Osi Umenyiora (@OsiUmenyiora) June 6, 2015

Umenyiora signed a two-year, $8.5 million dollar deal with the Atlanta Falcons before the 2013-2014 season. During a preseason game he tore his lateral meniscus which ended his season and required extensive surgery. The injury, apparently, seems to have taken enough of a toll on Umenyiora to be career-ending.

The Falcons and Giants are currently in talks to work out the largely ceremonial deal to enshrine Osi Umenyiora where he belongs: as a critical member of a defensive unit responsible for two of the greatest Superbowl victories the NFL has seen.