Jon Runyan, Jr Reflects on Giants-Eagles Rivalry
Jon Runyan Jr. was just a child when his father, who bears the same name, used to fight as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles against New York Giants Hall of Fame defensive end Michael Strahan.
For those not old enough to remember, those classic battles often resulted in Strahan getting the better of the elder Runyan. But at the end of the day, after the final buzzer sounded, it was love and respect between the two on-field rivals.
"Yeah, it's awesome," Runyan said during an introductory video call with reporters on Thursday. My dad and Michael—even though on the field, they were a bit of bitter rivals—after the game, every year Michael would always be waiting outside the team bus.
"And he and my dad had always chatted up after the games, and I'd be standing right there."
Runyan, who naturally grew up as an Eagles fan, said he admired and respected Strahan's game, noting how hard and physical the defensive end was.
The off-field bond between the two men was so strong that Strahan later invited the Runyan family to his Hall of Fame induction in Canton, a gesture the younger Runyan described as special.
Besides that battle between Strahan and his father, Runyan is no stranger to the classic and sometimes historic clashes between the Giants and the Eagles. But despite having grown up as an Eagles fan, the 26-year-old is fully on board as a Giant after signing a three-year, $30 million contract with $17 million guaranteed.
While he is determined to continue authoring his own story, he credits his father with giving him the foundation necessary to succeed in the NFL.
"Yeah, my dad played 14 years in the NFL, and he rarely missed a game in his career," Runyan said. "That's not really by mistake. He's instilled a work ethic and attitude over the years, you know, just this sense of toughness that you're gonna be out there and play for your team. And that's how I felt about playing football my whole career. "
That work ethic has resulted in Runyan not missing a game in his pro career, an achievement he is proud of.
"Going back to Michigan, being with the Packers, and coming here, I haven't missed a game in my professional career. And I take a lot of pride in my versatility and dependability. I'm excited to come here and bring that to New York."
That excitement is also partially fuelled by wanting to contribute to an offensive line that gave up a whopping 85 sacks last year. Runyan, who is focused on the future, is open to doing his part regardless of what side he's asked to play.
"I've only watched so much from the outside," he said. "I don't really know everything that's going on here, but I'm just coming in, you know, a hard-working, great attitude and try to fit in here and mesh with these guys," Runyan said.
"I think we've got some really good pieces around here. It's only March, and training camp is many months away, but I'm excited to get to work with these guys and get to know them. I feel like we've got a good group of guys, and we'll be ready by the time the season comes around."
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