Mathias Kiwanuka reminisces about Giants career
Leading up to this year's NFL Draft, a lot of the buzz surrounding the Giants was about the fact that GM Dave Gettleman had never traded back before.
As we know, Gettleman surprised many last month when he not only traded back in the first round, but also in Round 2 when he acquired three extra picks in the first four rounds of the 2022 draft.
When the Giants made this trade, it represented the first time in 15 years that the franchise traded back in the first round. In 2006, GM Ernie Accorsi moved from No. 25 to No. 32 in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, acquiring third and fourth-round picks in the deal. The Giants then selected Boston College defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka with the No. 32 pick, and the rest is history.
Kiwanuka went on to play nine seasons with the Giants and was a member of both the Super Bowl Champion XLII and XLVI teams. His 38.5 career sacks ranks ninth in team annals since the sack became official in 1982.
Kiwi recently appeared on the Giants Huddle Podcast, where he explained he could not have been more shocked to end up with Big Blue on draft night.
"I just knew they weren't going to pick me, to be honest with you," Kiwanuka said about the night he was drafted. "I met with them maybe the shortest of any of the teams that were interested at the combine. I knew they had Osi (Umenyiora), they had (Justin) Tuck, they had (Michael) Strahan. There were just a lot of guys on that team already…
"What I do remember is picking up the phone when the Giants were on the clock, right before the Giants got on the clock, I got a phone call, picked up the phone and they said, 'Hey, we're going to pick you with the next pick. Here, talk to Coach Coughlin.' I was so excited, I think I hung up on Coughlin. He had to call me back the second time. But I just remember being in my living room with my entire family and some friends, and just feeling like it was a culmination of all of the hard work that I put into high school and college."
As Kiwanuka mentioned, the Giants had some legendary pass rushers in the room with him when he entered the NFL. Strahan is the franchise's all-time sacks leader with 141.5, which also ranks sixth in NFL history. Meanwhile, Umenyiora's 75 sacks ranks No. 4 on the franchise's all-time list, while Tuck's 60.5 sacks comes in at No. 6.
Walking into any position room as a rookie can be a tough transition, but especially one with some of the franchise's greatest players. However, Kiwanuka spoke about how tight-knit the defensive line room was at the time, which played a crucial role in the success of the Giants' pass rush.
"You have to keep in mind, I was a first-round pick so I walked in there with a boatload of confidence," Kiwanuka said about when he first arrived at the Giants' facility. "But yeah, when you walk in and you see the great Michael Strahan and all these other guys that have been really successful in their careers, it's jaw-dropping…
"Throughout my career, the guys, we had a really close locker room, a really close meeting room. We all did tend to help each other out, and I couldn't have asked for a better group of guys. We're still in contact now, we still joke and laugh about things that happened back then. I think everything worked out for me just the way God intended."
Kiwanuka took an interesting path throughout his nine years with the Giants. He was drafted as a defensive end and played all 16 games at that position during his rookie season. But heading into his second season, Kiwanuka spent the entire offseason learning the strongside linebacker position. He would go on to win a spot at his new position and started 10 games before suffering a broken leg, which ended his season and forced him to miss the run to the Super Bowl XLII title.
He entered the 2008 training camp as the starting strongside linebacker, but returned to defensive end following Umenyiora's season-ending injury during the preseason. For the remainder of his NFL career, Kiwanuka seemed to bounce back and forth between linebacker and defensive end, where he found success at both positions.
When talking about the transition from defensive end to linebacker, Kiwanuka gave a ton of credit to one of the team's veterans who truly helped the young player make the switch successfully.
"One of the biggest helps during my career, especially as I was making the transition from D-lineman to linebacker, one person that I think never got enough credit was Antonio Pierce," Kiwanuka said about the veteran leader. "He was way more than just a middle linebacker. He was a friend, he was a teacher, and he was very confident in his skills. I used to say, 'this guy, you could give him two seconds of a play to run and stop anywhere in the NFC East and he could probably tell you what play they're running, which direction they're going and everything.' He just had it, had it.
"He was a guy that taught you, you can go out and you can have fun and hang out, but he was always the first one back in the sauna. He was always in the weight room, he was always sitting there with his notebook out ready to ask questions. He would help guide me along."
Pierce spent his final five NFL seasons (including a Pro Bowl season) with the Giants, helping lead the team to its historic Super Bowl XLII win over the Patriots during the 2007 campaign.
While Pierce played a pivotal role in Kiwanuka's success at linebacker, he was not the only player who was more than happy to take some of the younger guys under his wing.
Cornerback Corey Webster went out of his way to help his teammates, even the ones outside of the secondary.
"Guys like that who are just willing to help everybody, Corey Webster is another one," Kiwanuka said. "Corey Webster would have meetings at his house down in his basement and he would teach guys how to watch film. I'm not even talking about teaching them what the play is. He was just teaching them how to watch film.
"He bought one of the big computers that they had at the Giants at the time and downloaded all of the practice and all of the game film onto it, and he would say, 'Come over. Grab some food, grab some drinks and we're just going to sit here and I'm going to teach you guys how to watch film…' Looking back at it, I remember being like 'that was a really valuable experience.' So, it wasn't just in that D-line meeting room."
View photos of the career of former Giants two-time Super Bowl Champion Mathias Kiwanuka.
New York Giants' linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (97), celebrates sacking Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell, on the ground, during the fourth quarter of an NFL game at the Fedex Field in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sep. 23, 2007. Giants won, 24-17. Others are Gaints' Mitchell Kawika and Osi Umenyiora. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) during a week 7 football game against the Minnesota Vikings on October 21, 2013 in East Rutherford, NJ (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) forces a fumble on Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy as Devin Thomas (15) and Zak DeOssie (51) look on after the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis. The Giants won 21-17. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) looks on during a bench break at the NFL regular season week 1 football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, September 12, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won the game 31-18. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Devin Thomas #15, Osi Umenyiora #72 and Mathias Kiwanuka #94 of the New York Giants celebrate with the Lombardi Trophy after beating the New England Patriots 21-17 in the NFL football Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Thomas E. Witte)
New York Giants line backer Mathias Kiwanuka (94) sprints off the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won 36-31. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 23: Mathias Kiwanuka #97 of the New York Giants in action against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 23, 2008 in Glendale, Arizona. The Giants defeated the Cardinals 37-29. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) fumbles the ball after being hit by New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 24-20. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles #9 is sacked New York Giants defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins #99 and defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka #94 during the NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants on Sunday, October 6th 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Eagles won 36-21. (AP Photo/Brian Garfinkel)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) looks to make a tackle during a week 12 football game against the Green Bay Packers on November 25, 2012 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) gets sacked by New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) during a week 16 football game on December 22, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) rushes against Detroit Lions offensive tackle Riley Reiff (71) during the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) during the NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, Oct. 21, 2013 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won, 23-7. (AP Photo/Ric Tapia)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers (12) during a week 12 football game on November 25, 2012 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) during a week 5 football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 6, 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) during a week 8 football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 27, 2013 in Philadelphia, PA
(AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) during a preseason football game against the Indianapolis Colts on August 16, 2014 in Indianapolis (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) is sacked by New York Giants outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. Also pictured is guard Leonard Davis (68). (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) talk to his teammates before a preseason football game against the New York Jets on August 24, 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) during a week 14 football game against the San Diego Chargers on December 8, 2013 in San Diego, California (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
Houston Texans running back Alfred Blue (28) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Trumaine McBride (38) and defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) in the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, left, talks to New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka at the end of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 30-20. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) is sacked by New York Giants defensive tackle Linval Joseph, hidden, as outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) converges during the third quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers (12) during a week 12 football game on November 25, 2012 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka is shown with his helmet off during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won the game 41-27. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (7) throws as New York Giants outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) rushes in in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) during a week 11 football game against the San Francisco 49ers on November 16, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) during a week 17 football game against the Washington Redskins December 29, 2013 in East Rutherford, NJ (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) in action against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, December 9, 2012. New York defeated New Orleans 52-27. (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) talks to his teammates before a week 6 football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 12, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) celebrates a sack of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers (12) during a week 12 football game on November 25, 2012 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is sacked by New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants' Cullen Jenkins (99) and Mathias Kiwanuka (94) sack Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (9) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants' Mathias Kiwanuka (94) tries to maneuver around Carolina Panthers' Jordan Gross, right, during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. The Panthers won 38-0. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New York Giants outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) stands over San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) after sacking him during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. The Giants 26-3. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New York Giants' Mathias Kiwanuka (94) against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. The Panthers won 38-0. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) blocks during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) celebrates a sack of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers (12) during a week 12 football game on November 25, 2012 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) looks to pass rush during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on December 8, 2013. The Chargers defeated the Giants 37-14. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) celebrates a sack of Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) looks to make a tackle during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday December 4, 2011 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 05: Mathias Kiwanuka #94 of the New York Giants celebrates a victory after Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5, 2012.(AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker pulls off his helmet as New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) celebrates in the background after the Giants' 21-17 win over the Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) looks to make a tackle during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Sunday December 18, 2011 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants Mathias Kiwanuka #94 is seen in action against the New England Patriots Sebastian Vollmer #76 at Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday, February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, IN. The Giants defeated the Patriots 21-17. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) during the NFC Championship football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday January 22, 2012 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) sacks San Francisco 49ers quaterback Alex Smith (11) during the NFC Championship football game on Sunday January 22, 2012 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
San Francisco 49ers' Frank Gore (21) is tackled by New York Giants' Mathias Kiwanuka (94) during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) pass rushes during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011, in San Francisco. The 49ers won the game, 27-20. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
New York Giants' Mathias Kiwanuka (94) makes a tackle on Miami Dolphins' Reggie Bush (22) during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas (23) is stopped by New York Giants outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Monday, Nov. 28, 2011. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) pass rushes during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011, in San Francisco. The 49ers won the game, 27-20. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) looks to make a tackle during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday September 24, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) waits for the snap during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011, in San Francisco. The 49ers won the game, 27-20. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday October 16th, 2011 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
Miami Dolphins' running back Reggie Bush, left, is tackled by New York Giants' outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) pursues the ball carrier during a NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, September 25, 2011 in Philadelphia. The Giants won the game 29-16. (AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) celebrates a sack against the Carolina Panthers in a week 1 NFL football game at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday September 12, 2010 (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, bottom, reacts after being sacked by New York Giants outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) during the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) runs down field during the NFL week 2 football game against the St. Louis Rams on Monday, September 19, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won the game 28-16. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) ones up in a three-point stance during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, November 9, 2014. The Seahawks defeated the New York Giants 38-17 in Week 10. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
New York Giants outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka tackles Arizona Cardinals tight end Rob Housler (84) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) strips Oakland Raiders quaterback JaMarcus Russell (2) during a NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday October 11, 2009 (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka, left, reacts during the first quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) reacts after sacking Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young during the first quarter of an NFL football game as Titans' Jake Scott (73) looks on at New Meadowlands Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Carolina Panthers' Matt Moore (3) is sacked by New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010. The Giants won the game 31-18. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) runs out onto the field with teammates before the start of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber (24) fumbles the ball on a tackle by New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) in the second quarter of their NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009. The Giants recovered the ball. The Giants won the game 31-24 (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) sacks Arizona Cardinals quaterback Kurt Warner (13) during a NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday October 25, 2009 (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) sacks and causes a fumble of Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) during a week 10 football game on November 10, 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) splits a double team during a week 12 football game against the Dallas Cowboys on November 24, 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka, left, sacks Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants beat the Ravens 30-10. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (97) breaks up a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) as 49ers offensive tackle Joe Staley (74) collides with Kiwanuka in the third quarter of their NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007. The Giants defeated San Francisco 33-15. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Mathias Kiwanuka of the New York Giants rushes in during a 41-13 win over the St. Louis Rams on September 14, 2008 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Mo. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan (14) dives for a loose ball after fumbling it while handing off to running back Frank Gore (21) as New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (97) makes the tackle in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. The play was ruled a sack for 8 yards, but resulted in a safety after 49ers wide receiver Josh Morgan kicked the ball through the end zone. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) wraps up New York Jets running back Shonn Greene (23) during an NFL football game on Saturday December 24, 2011 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka during pre-game warmups of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (94) celebrates after a third quarter sack forces a Seattle Seahawks punt during the NFL week 5 football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, October 9, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Seahawks won the game 36-25. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka (94) during a week 10 football game against the Oakland Raiders on November 10, 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
Washington Redskins' wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, (82) is tackled by New York Giants' Mathias Kiwanuka, right, and Kawika Mitchell, left, during the fourth quarter of an NFL foofball game at Fedex Field in Landover, Md., Sunday, Sep. 23, 2007. Giants won, 24-17. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) scrambles for three yards before being tackled by New York Giants' Mathias Kiwanuka, right, and Fred Robbins during second quarter NFL football Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Saints won 30-7. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Similar to Kiwanuka, Webster was drafted by the Giants and spent all nine seasons of his career with the franchise. The Giants used a second-round pick on him in 2005, and the corner would go on to play a crucial role in both Super Bowl runs. He registered two interceptions during the 2007 playoffs, and in 2011, he picked off six passes during the season before shutting down the opponents' No. 1 receivers in the postseason.
The Giants had a long list of veteran leaders on both of their most recent Super Bowl teams. But it was the man standing in front of the entire roster on a daily basis who earned the most respect of everyone for his leadership abilities.
Tom Coughlin's 102 victories as the Giants' head coach ranks second in franchise history, trailing only Steve Owen (153), while his two championships match Owen and Bill Parcells. Coughlin was known for his toughness in the locker room. He treated every player the same way, whether he was dealing with one of the team's stars or one of the last guys on the roster. It is because of this that Coughlin was able to command the respect of every single person in the Giants locker room.
"Coughlin was great, I'll never say anything bad about him," Kiwanuka said about his former head coach. "He's one of the guys that I respect the most in terms of leadership and what it takes to lead a group of men. You have to remember, these are big men with big egos and big pockets. It's not easy to command respect in a room like that. But when you get up there every day, day in and day out, and your message is consistent and you hold everybody accountable… 'I don't care if you're Michael Strahan pulling in five minutes late, or if you're the second team guy pulling in 10 minutes late, the punishment is the same. You guys are treated the same.' I think that had a lot to do with our success.
"I heard stories from other teams around the league. Guys would show up halfway through practice or halfway through meetings. I was like 'man, that would never fly in New York.' Not one time would a guy… first of all, if you show up that late, you're not practicing and you probably won't play. There was just always a level of confidence, accountability, and a teaching mentality that permeated the entire room."
It would not be a stretch to say that both of the Giants' Super Bowl runs during the 2007 and 2011 seasons surprised a lot of people outside of the team's facility. But inside of the building? The Giants knew that once the postseason began, it was essentially a brand-new season where anything could happen. The team took each game one play at a time and did not allow previous mistakes to weigh down on them.
"When you get to the playoffs, it's a fresh start, it's a fresh season," Kiwanuka said in reference to the 2011 Super Bowl run. "You have to get your mind right. If you had veteran guys who had been in those tough situations before, they can put their arm around the young guys and just tell them 'hey, shake it off. Shake it off. Let's go. Don't let the last play beat you on the next play.' That's what I always used to say."
With his playing career in the rearview mirror, Kiwanuka is now dedicating his time to Smile Train. Smile Train is the world's largest cleft-focused organization, with a sustainable and local model of supporting surgery and other forms of essential care.
As of last month, Kiwanuka became Smile Train's newest board member, an achievement the two-time Super Bowl Champion is incredibly proud of.
"I'm just very proud to be a part [of Smile Train], very humbled and very appreciative of the opportunity to go back, not just to Uganda, but to go to every country pretty much," Kiwanuka said about his new venture. "We're in 70 different countries, over 1.5 million clefts have been fixed due to the Smile Train's activity. It just continues to grow."
Joint Statement from the Giants and Jets
On Monday, the Giants and Jets released a joint statement regarding stadium capacity at MetLife Stadium for the 2021 season.
The statement reads, "We are thrilled by Governor Murphy's announcement today to have MetLife Stadium operate at full capacity for the 2021 season. We can't wait to welcome our fans back, creating the gameday atmosphere we have all been missing. We will continue to work to ensure the return of fans is accomplished in a safe and responsible way."
View photos of the New York Giants' active 53-man roster as it currently stands.
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Devontae Booker
CB James Bradberry
G Ben Bredeson
RB Gary Brightwell
LB Lorenzo Carter
WR Pharoh Cooper
DB Keon Crossen
LB Tae Crowder
OT Korey Cunningham
P Riley Dixon
TE Evan Engram
QB Jake Fromm
K Graham Gano
FB Cullen Gillaspia
QB Mike Glennon
WR Kenny Golladay
G Will Hernandez
DT Austin Johnson
WR Collin Johnson
DL Raymond Johnson III
QB Daniel Jones
LS Casey Kreiter
DL Dexter Lawrence
DB Julian Love
G Wes Martin
LB Benardrick McKinney
S Xavier McKinney
TE Chris Myarick
LB Azeez Ojulari
DB Steven Parker
OT Matt Peart
FB Elijhaa Penny
C Billy Price
LB Reggie Ragland
DB J.R. Reed
LB Quincy Roche
TE Kyle Rudolph
DB Logan Ryan
DT Danny Shelton
WR Sterling Shepard
OL Matt Skura
WR Darius Slayton
LB Elerson G. Smith
OT Nate Solder
OT Andrew Thomas
DT Leonard Williams
2021 NFL Schedule Release: Breaking down all 17 games
Two-time Super Bowl champion Carl Banks and Bob Papa break down the Giants' 2021 schedule game by game.
Single Game Tickets
A limited number of Giants 2021 single game tickets are on sale now
