Junior Galette

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Junior Galette
Junior Galette For the Love of Football.png
Free agent
Position:Outside linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1988-03-27) March 27, 1988 (age 33)
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:254 lb (115 kg)
Career information
High school:Saint Joseph Regional (Montvale, New Jersey)
College:Stillman
Temple
Undrafted:2010
Career history
Career NFL statistics as of 2020
Total tackles:144
Sacks:34.5
Forced fumbles:6
Fumble recoveries:2
Player stats at NFL.com

Junior Jovais Galette[1] (born March 27, 1988) is a Haitian-American outside linebacker, activist and philanthropist. He played college football at Temple and Stillman. Galette entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints where he was elected defensive team captain and awarded a $41.5 million deal. He was released ten months after signing the deal. Galette then signed with the Washington Redskins, but missed two consecutive seasons from two separate Achilles ruptures.

Early and college career[]

Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Galette came from an impoverished background to rise to the pinnacle of the NFL.[2] His parents left the Caribbean for the United States in search of a better life for him and his brothers when Galette was still an infant. After being raised by family members in Haiti, when Galette was 9 years old, his parents raised enough money to bring Galette and his two older brothers to join them in Spring Valley, New York.[3] Galette arrived in America not speaking a word of English and having no experience with any non-Haitian Creole people.  Galette has spoken about his experiences learning English upon his arrival and the harassment he received for not speaking the English language. One of Galette's formative impressions of America was at the beginning of his first year in school in America, in 4th grade, when a girl that didn't look like him in his class repeatedly called him a racial epithet. Galette did not know what the word meant, but his teacher overheard and intervened; not just reprimanding the classmate, but devoting the entire week's curriculum to the American Civil Rights Movement. Galette remembers learning about Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks and going home each night to teach his parents about the Civil Rights Movement because as immigrants themselves, they had not learned the history behind America's systemic oppression and institutionalized racism, even as they endured it in their daily lives.

Galette spent many hours at his local Salvation Army, on Main Street in Spring Valley, New York as a child, honing his athletic skills. He still recalls the day when “The Twins,” Super Bowl Champions of the New England Patriots, Devin and Jason McCourty, walked into Galette's Salvation Army and challenged him to a game of 16.  Galette's competitive fire was stoked by the challenging newcomers, he refused to succumb to their opposing team and the game went to 26 points, a basketball battle of future NFL stars. Although he was the star of the local Salvation Army, Galette has spoken repeatedly about how at the time he could not afford a new basketball.

Galette graduated from Saint Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey in 2006. On February 1, 2006, Galette committed to play football Temple University in Philadelphia, receiving a full scholarship. He played three seasons for the Owls. He received honorable mention on the 2006 Sporting News Freshman All-American team as a linebacker. He switched to defensive end for his next two years. After being suspended from the team during his junior year,[2] he transferred to Division II Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama for his final season, where he was named to the all-SIAC first team.[4]

High School[]

Galette started at linebacker as a sophomore for Ramapo High School. Following his sophomore season, Galette transferred as a scholarship athlete to Saint Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey in 2006, a storied all-boys school with a history of athletic success. Galette contributed to the school's athletic success on both the football and basketball teams his junior and senior seasons. During his first year at St. Joseph's as a junior, reunited with then St. Joseph seniors Devin and Jason McCourty, Galette led the football team to victory in its state Non-Public Group III title game, adding to the school's then-streak of six straight championship titles under head coach Tony Karcich. Galette continued to carry the St. Joseph football team, even without the graduated McCourty twins, in his senior season when Galette had 70 tackles and 12 sacks at linebacker and 10 touchdowns and 41 catches for 492 yards at wide receiver, capping the season with St. Joseph's seventh straight state Non-Public Group III championship title under head coach Tony Karcich. On February 1, 2006 Galette committed to play football for Temple University in Philadelphia, receiving a full scholarship.

College[]

Freshman Year[]

Galette played in 11 games with nine starts as a true freshman at Temple, earning Freshman All-American recognition. That freshman season Galette made 52 tackles (32 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 pass breakup, and 1 block. In his college debut as a true freshman, Galette earned Defensive Player of the Game honors for his 9 tackles (5 solo) and 2.5 tackles for loss. Galette was ranked No. 2 on ESPN's college football plays of the week for his acrobatic punt block that led to a touchdown against BGSU. Galette lettered his freshman year at Temple.

Sophomore Year[]

In his sophomore year at Temple, Galette played in all 12 games with 4 starts at defensive end. Galette finished his sophomore season with 41 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 pass breakup, leading the Temple Owls in tackles for loss and sacks. His 7.5 sacks ranked 4th among all Mid-Atlantic Conference players.  Galette was named Defensive Player of the Game for Temple's win over Miami, in which he led the defense with 6 tackles, 3 sacks, and a forced fumble. Galette was named Mid-Atlantic Conference Defensive Player of the Week (October 22, 2007). Galette lettered his sophomore year at Temple.

Junior Year[]

Galette continued to lead Temple's defense in his junior year, starting at defensive end. Galette finished his junior season with 46 tackles, a team-best 10 tackles for loss, a team-best 7.5 sacks, three break-ups, a hurry, and a forced fumble. In Temple's win over Navy on November 1, 2008, Galette led the Owls with a career-high 11 tackles, including 6 solo takedowns and a break-up, holding Navy to its lowest point total in 4 years. Galette was named Defensive Player of the Game against Navy and Central Michigan. Galette earned Temple Athlete of the Week honors for his performance against Ohio. Galette was honored with Second-Team All-Mid-Atlantic Conference in 2008. Galette lettered his junior year at Temple.

Senior Year[]

Galette transferred to Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama for his senior year. Galette was honored as a First Team All-American for his Stillman senior year performance and was invited to participate in the NFL's rookie combine.

Professional career[]

New Orleans Saints[]

Galette was not drafted in the 2010 draft and signed with the Saints as a free agent. His energetic play made him a fan favorite during the preseason, and after he blocked a punt and registered two sacks in the Saints' final preseason game, Galette was selected for the Saints' 53-man regular season roster.[5][6]

In the 2013 season, Galette signed a 3-year deal worth up to 9 million dollars. Galette became the team's regular starter at outside linebacker under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and posted a breakout season with a team-high 12 sacks.[7]

On September 3, 2014, Galette signed a four-year contract extension worth $41.5 million.[3][8] He was selected by teammates as one of the defensive team captains for the 2014 season and played all 16 of the Saints' games that season and ended up getting 45 total tackles, 10 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles.[9] On July 24, 2015, Galette was officially released from the team.[10]

Washington Redskins[]

On July 31, 2015, Galette signed a one-year contract with the Washington Redskins.[11] On August 26, after completing training camp, it was announced that he tore his left Achilles tendon a week prior to the first game of the season and would spend the entire 2015 season on the injured reserve list.[12] He was placed on the injured reserve list on August 31.[13] On November 16, 2015, Galette was suspended for two weeks[14] for violating the league's personal conduct policy, coming from the domestic violence incident back in January.[15]

Galette rehabbed the left Achilles and signed a one-year, up to $4 million deal for the upcoming 2016 season on March 15, 2016.[16] It was announced on July 25 that Galette tore his right Achilles tendon and missed the entire 2016 season.[17] Galette rehabbed again, and signed another deal with Washington, agreeing to play in 2017 for the veterans minimum. Galette outperformed the minimum deal, recording 3 sacks and ranking 3rd in the NFL in quarterback pressure rate, as a sub-rusher appearing in all 16 games. 

On February 1, 2017, Galette re-signed with the Redskins on another one-year contract.[18] Galette did not appear on Washington's injury list at all during the 2017 season. Following the 2017 season in which Galette got 3 sacks, Washington withdrew its offer to Galette after disagreements over salary. [19]

NFL statistics[]

Year Team GP COMB TOTAL AST SACK FF FR FR YDS INT IR YDS AVG IR LNG TD PD
2010 NO 4 4 4 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2011 NO 16 19 11 8 4.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012 NO 12 20 17 3 5.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2013 NO 16 40 28 12 12.0 1 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 2
2014 NO 16 45 33 12 10.0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
2017 WAS 16 20 14 6 3.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Career 80 148 107 41 34.5 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 6

[20]

Key to Abbreviations

  • GP: games played
  • COMB: combined tackles
  • TOTAL: total tackles
  • AST: assisted tackles
  • SACK: sacks
  • FF: forced fumbles
  • FR: fumble recoveries
  • FR YDS: fumble return yards
  • INT: interceptions
  • IR YDS: interception return yards
  • AVG IR: average interception return
  • LNG: longest interception return
  • TD: interceptions returned for touchdown
  • PD: passes defensed

Alleged pay discrimination in the NFL[]

Speaking Out Against Alleged Pay Discrimination in the NFL in 2017[]

After receiving an offer with 500% less guaranteed money than that received by teammate Trent Murphey of the same position, whom Gallete points out is white and did not play in 2017 due to an ACL tear, Galette alleged racial pay discrimination in the NFL. Despite multiple media outlets reporting Galette was signed by the Los Angeles Rams, Galette has not played in the NFL since the 2017 season, with Rams Head Coach Sean McVay publicly saying “It just didn’t work out for reasons that we will keep inside.” [19]

Although unsigned for the 2018–2019 seasons, Galette reportedly continued working out and stayed in contact with NFL coaches, continuing to seek an opportunity to get back on a team with a contract he deemed equitable to his worth.

Open Letter in 2020[]

On June 8, 2020, Galette published an open letter to Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL seeking equitable treatment of Black players and an end to policies that blackball players who speak out against racism in the league.[21]

Galette's letter applauds the NFL's recent statement acknowledging systemic racism and the inequitable treatment of Black people in America. But Galette asks that the NFL go beyond mere words of support for the Black Lives Matter movement; instituting policies that bring about real change.

Galette noted in his letter that Black men in America are seven times more likely to have encounters with law enforcement than their white counterparts; a startling statistic experts attribute in part to institutionalized racism. Black NFL players are not immune from such adverse interaction with police officers, but under current NFL policies a player accused of a crime can be suspended from playing even before having the opportunity to appear in court and exercise his constitutional right to prove his innocence.

Personal life[]

Family[]

Galette has two sons, Jovais Galette and Junior Galette, and two older brothers, Furley Galette and Dudley Galette.[citation needed]

Current[]

Galette currently lists himself as a 

“Motivational speaker, international philanthropist, and serial entrepreneur. Who is passionate about finding and championing emerging artists.”

Gallete is currently pursuing litigation against the NFL. Alleging he has been blackballed due to speaking out about his failure to procure a contract after the 2017 season. He has retained expert witnesses and documents some of the proceedings on his frequent Twitter postings.[citation needed]

Attempted extortion of Galette in 2015[]

Unfounded allegations of off-field misconduct had a severe impact on Galette's career: in 2015, while playing for the New Orleans Saints, a woman accused him of assault.[22] When prosecutors investigated, they concluded the allegations lacked credibility and dropped all charges.  The woman pursued a civil suit but Galette won.[19]

References[]

  1. ^ "ESPN Profile". ESPN.com.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "New Orleans Saints' Junior Galette finds sense of security with four-year, $41.5 million contract extension". The Times-Picayune. September 3, 2014.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "Junior Galette: 'Best week of my life'". ESPN. September 4, 2014.
  4. ^ CBSSports.com draft profile (accessed September 4, 2010).
  5. ^ Triplett, Mike (September 2, 2010). "New Orleans Saints' Junior Galette makes good argument for roster spot in preseason finale". Times-Picayune.
  6. ^ Nakia Hogan, "Undrafted rookie Junior Galette excited about making New Orleans Saints roster", Times-Picayune, September 3, 2010.
  7. ^ Triplett, Mike (December 12, 2013). "Exuberant Galette having breakout year". ESPN.
  8. ^ "Junior Galette gets $41.5M extension". ESPN. September 3, 2014.
  9. ^ "Junior Galette".
  10. ^ Alper, Josh (July 24, 2015). "Saints release Junior Galette". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  11. ^ Keim, John. "Redskins sign Junior Galette". ESPN. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  12. ^ Hanzus, Dan (August 26, 2015). "Redskins' Junior Galette tears Achilles in practice". NFL.com. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  13. ^ "8/31: Redskins Make Roster Moves". Redskins.com. August 31, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  14. ^ "Adam Schefter on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  15. ^ "Washington's injured Junior Galette suspended two weeks". Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  16. ^ Czarda, Stephen (March 15, 2016). "Report: Redskins Re-Sign Linebacker Junior Galette". Redskins.com. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  17. ^ Keim, John (July 25, 2016). "Redskins LB Junior Galette tears Achilles, out for season". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  18. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (January 31, 2017). "Junior Galette to sign third contract with Redskins". NFL.com. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  19. ^ Jump up to: a b c "NFL Star Wants League to Right Its Wrong Amid Acknowledgement of Failure to Listen to Its Players" (PDF). June 19, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  20. ^ "Junior Galette Stats". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  21. ^ "Junior Galette Pens Open Letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell" (PDF). June 19, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  22. ^ "Jury Exonerates Junior Galette from 2015 Allegations" (PDF). June 20, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.

External links[]

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