Aaron Stinnie

BIOGRAPHY

Aaron Phillip Stinnie, an American professional footballer born on February 18, 1994, has proven his athletic prowess in the esteemed National Football League (NFL). Specializing in the role of guard, Stinnie has been associated with some of the biggest teams in the league, most recently with the New York Giants. His journey is a testament to his versatility, resilience and above all, his love for the game.

Originally hailing from Charlottesville, Virginia, Stinnie was born into a family with a background in sports. His father, Phil Stinnie—a stalwart on the basketball court, is the seventh-highest scorer of all-time at the University of Virginia. Interestingly, basketball was also young Aaron’s first love and his primary focus at the St. Anne’s-Belfield School. It was only in his junior year that Aaron ventured into football, after his friends encouraged him to explore his potential in the popular sport.

Stinnie’s transition to football initially involved him redshirting his freshman year in college. He started his career as a defensive lineman with the Dukes at James Madison University, showing impressive stats with 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 12 games for his first season. He later shifted his position to the offensive line during his redshirt sophomore season. It turned out to be a significant shift in his career, as he showed exceptional stability, longevity, and consistency, starting 42 consecutive games through the remainder of his university journey. His exceptional performances weren’t left unnoticed either, resulting in him being selected a FCS All-America selection for both his redshirt junior and senior seasons.

Upon graduating, Stinnie’s football voyage led him to the Tennessee Titans, who signed him as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2018. He managed to secure a spot on the final 53-man roster after training camp, marking the start of his professional journey. He made his debut in the NFL on October 21, 2018, in a match against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, the road was not smooth for Stinnie; he faced some hurdles where he was briefly waived by the Titans in 2019 before being signed for practice the very next day. He was promoted back to the active roster and moved on to play at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being claimed off waivers later that year.

During his stay at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Stinnie assumed a critical role in the 2019 and 2020 seasons for the team. His dedication led him to start the final three games of the playoffs in the latter season, including Super Bowl LV against the Kansas City Chiefs. This period saw the Buccaneers take the coveted title, marking a significant moment in Stinnie’s career.

Stinnie’s undeterred efforts led to his contract extension with the Buccaneers on March 17, 2021. In that same year, while standing in for injured Ali Marpet, Stinnie made his first career regular-season start in Week 12. Unfortunately, his fitness journey was compromised when he suffered a knee injury and was placed on injured reserve on December 1, 2021. However, his spirit was emanated when he made a comeback, announced active on January 8, 2022.

Despite the setback, Stinnie’s career kept progressing. He re-signed with the Buccaneers in March of both 2022 and 2023. However, an unfortunate torn ACL suffered in the 2022 preseason had him relegated to injured reserve. On March 15, 2024, Stinnie marked a new beginning for his career by confirming his association with the New York Giants.

Aaron Stinnie’s story is a powerful example of perseverance, showing that athletes can evolve and rise despite the throes of adversity. His marked progress in football, from his late introduction to the sport in high school to his career-defining moments on the professional stage, speaks of his unyielding determination and talent.