The most durable player in NFL history, New York Giants punter Jeff Feagles, spoke to approximately 200 fans of the Super Bowl champions at Saturday's Women's Health and Fitness Expo at TechCity.
Feagles, who has not missed a start in 320 consecutive games, talked about his NFL experience and how his fitness level has enabled him to play in the league for 20 seasons.

After a short speech, Feagles entertained questions from the crowd before signing autographs and judging a punting contest.

"I've been able to stay in the NFL because the fitness regimen I do in the off-season," Feagles said. "I do whatever I can to take my fitness to its highest level, especially flexibility, which is most important to me as a punter.

"I like to feel good and keep the aches and pains away, so I take care of my body by exercising and eating right."
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Feagles, a member of the Giants since 2003, entered the league in 1988 as a free agent with the New England Patriots.

He was with the Patriots for two seasons, then left to play four years with the Philadelphia Eagles. Feagles moved to the Arizona Cardinals for four seasons and went five years with the Seattle Seahawks before joining the Giants.

He made history as the oldest player to win a Super Bowl (42) and averaged 40.4 yards per punt for the 2007 season.

"It took me 20 years to get to the Super Bowl and it was an amazing experience," Feagles said. "You try to play every game like it's just another game, but the Super Bowl is much more. You come out of the ramp and it's like you're a rock star.

"But you've got to get over it and go on with the game."

Ironically, Feagles didn't play football until his senior year of high school in Phoenix, playing both quarterback and punter.

He continued playing while at Scottsdale Community College and in his second year there, attended a camp for kickers in Missouri.

"I went to the camp and did well there," he said. "One of the coaches from (the University of) Miami was there and the next thing you know, I had a full scholarship to be their punter."

After leaving the Patriots, Feagles began to perfect what he is known best for, directional punting, which serves to pin opponents inside their own 20-yard line.

"When you're punting from inside midfield, I like to think about it like you're hitting a golf ball from 50 yards out," he said. "I treat the end zone like a sand trap and it's so much more about the angle and not the distance."

Feagles' career nearly ended about three years ago after being diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, a condition that was affecting his knees.

"It really kind of forced me to semi-retire, but medicine helped me conquer it and get back in shape for the season," he said.

"I was a long-distance runner and had to give that up, so I turned to swimming and it's really given me the cardio workouts I need. I also take part in all of the conditioning camps that the team runs since I live in New Jersey."

The inflammation nearly cost Feagles his streak in 2006, right before he was to play in his 300th straight game.

"I had a bone chip that came loose and came right out of the skin on a Thursday," he said. "There was no way I was missing my 300th game. The trainers worked with me and we got through it. I remember one other time I had a broken arm and managed to play, too."

Feagles sported a large bandage on his left thumb, but assured worried Giants fans that the injury wouldn't affect his preparation for the 2008-09 season.

"I was trying to make dinner the other night and had a minor mishap," he said. "I guess I won't be making dinner again anytime soon."

The self-proclaimed fitness fanatic also put aside any thoughts that he might be ready to call it a career.

"You'd think after 20 years and winning a Super Bowl that I might be done," Feagles said. "I'm thinking right now about a repeat and I just signed a new two-year deal, so I'll be sticking around."