Hubbry Logo
Justin BrittJustin BrittMain
Open search
Justin Britt
Community hub
Justin Britt
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Justin Britt
Justin Britt
from Wikipedia

Justin Britt (born May 29, 1991) is an American former professional football player who was a center in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Missouri Tigers. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft, and also played in the NFL for the Houston Texans.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Britt attended Lebanon High School in Lebanon, Missouri. He was a good overall athlete who was a three-year letterwinner in the sports of football (offensive left tackle), wrestling (heavyweight), and track. Britt won the class 4 Missouri state heavyweight championship in wrestling as a senior in 2009, going a perfect 45–0 during the season. He placed sixth at the state wrestling championships in the heavyweight division in 2008 and was a district heavyweight champion in 2008 and 2009, adding to a trio of conference titles he won in 2007, 2008 and 2009.[1]

College career

[edit]

Britt played college football for the Missouri Tigers from 2010 to 2013, after being redshirted for the 2009 season.

He spent 2010 as a second string guard, before being promoted to starting left tackle for the 2011 season, starting all 13 games. He continued to be a starter in the offensive line for the remaining two seasons of his Missouri career, playing at both left and right tackle.[1]

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 5+78 in
(1.98 m)
325 lb
(147 kg)
33+12 in
(0.85 m)
10+14 in
(0.26 m)
5.07 s 1.75 s 2.93 s 4.69 s 7.59 s 29.5 in
(0.75 m)
9 ft 3 in
(2.82 m)
26 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[2][3]

Seattle Seahawks

[edit]

The Seattle Seahawks selected Britt in the second round (64th overall) of the 2014 NFL draft.[4] He won the right tackle job in training camp in 2014, and started there in the opening game of the season against the Green Bay Packers.[5] Britt started all 16 regular season games at right tackle for the Seahawks, as well as their divisional round playoff game against the Carolina Panthers, before missing the NFC Championship game with an injury.[6] He was one of the worst pass blocking tackles in the NFL as a rookie, according to Pro Football Focus. The Seahawks finished the season with a 12–4 record for an NFC West pennant, but lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX.[7]

After a poor showing at right tackle in the first preseason game of the 2015 season, Britt was asked to change from right tackle to left guard. Britt was among the least effective pass blocking guards in football to start the season, but showed improvement. After being ranked 49th in pass protection, during weeks 5–10 he was ranked 33rd and weeks 11–13 he was ranked 27th. His run blocking became better as well. He started all 16 games at right guard.[8]

In the 2016 offseason the Seahawks moved Britt again, this time to center. Head coach Pete Carroll stated that they had this move in mind when they first drafted him in 2014.[9]

On August 17, 2017, Britt signed a three-year, $27 million contract extension with the Seahawks.[10]

On November 12, 2018 during the Seahawks' week 10 matchup in Los Angeles, Britt engaged in a large altercation with Los Angeles Rams' defensive tackle Aaron Donald causing both benches to clear. Following the game, Donald and Britt continued to throw punches at one another. Britt was fined $20,000 for his part in the altercation.[11]

On October 29, 2019, Britt was placed on injured reserve with a serious knee injury.[12]

Britt was released by the Seahawks on April 27, 2020.[13]

Houston Texans

[edit]

On March 8, 2021, Britt signed with the Houston Texans.[14][15] He was named the Texans starting center for 2021. He was placed on injured reserve on October 30, 2021.[16] He was activated on December 4.[17]

On March 21, 2022, Britt signed a two-year contract extension with the Texans.[18] He was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list on September 20, 2022.[19]

On March 4, 2023, the Texans released Britt.[20] Following his release by Houston, Britt retired from professional football.[21]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Justin Britt (born May 29, 1991) is an American former professional football offensive lineman who played eight seasons in the (), primarily as a . Born in , , to a family, Britt moved frequently during his early years before settling in , in sixth grade, where he excelled in football, wrestling, and track at Lebanon High School. He attended the , where he redshirted in 2009 and appeared in 35 games with 22 starts at left tackle from 2010 to 2013, earning first-team All-SEC honors from the as a senior in 2013—the first Missouri tackle to achieve that distinction since 1997. The selected Britt in the second round (64th overall) of the , and he quickly became a starter at right tackle during his rookie season, contributing to the team's run to , which they lost to the . Over six seasons with from 2014 to 2019, Britt demonstrated versatility by shifting to right guard in 2015 and center in 2016, starting 86 of the 87 games he appeared in and anchoring an offensive line that supported two playoff appearances. Released by the Seahawks after the 2019 season, Britt signed a two-year contract with the Texans in March 2021, where he started all 17 games at center in 2021 but appeared in only two games in 2022 before being placed on the reserve/non-football illness list; he was released in March 2023 and subsequently retired from professional football.

Early life

Childhood and family

Justin Britt was born on May 29, 1991, in , , to a family. His father served in the , leading to frequent relocations during his early years, including time spent in Saint Robert and , near . Britt's mother, Kelly, played a central role in his upbringing after divorcing his father and moving with her children—including Britt, his older brother Chris, younger sister Allyson, and younger brother Dalton—to , when Britt entered sixth grade around 2003. Growing up in this transient environment, Britt found stability and passion in athletics, influenced by his family's emphasis on . In Waynesville, he reluctantly joined youth football leagues, marking his initial exposure to organized sports alongside other activities. Upon settling in , Britt began wrestling and football in , activities that quickly became central to his formative years and helped him build resilience amid the family's changes. The relocation to had a lasting impact, allowing Britt to establish roots in a supportive community where his mother's guidance fostered a strong and love for , setting the foundation for his athletic development before high school.

High school career

Justin Britt attended Lebanon High School in , where he emerged as a standout multi-sport , participating in football, wrestling, and track & field over three years of varsity . His involvement across these disciplines helped develop his physical conditioning, agility, and competitive drive, laying a strong foundation for his future athletic pursuits. In football, Britt played as a two-way lineman, excelling on both offense and defense while starring at left tackle on offense during his senior year in 2009. He earned All-State honors for his contributions to the Lebanon Yellowjackets. Although specific statistical highlights from his senior season are limited in records, his performance as a dominant blocker and defender drew significant attention from college scouts. Britt's wrestling career peaked in his senior year, when he captured the Class 4 state heavyweight championship in 2009 with an undefeated 45-0 record. He had previously placed sixth in the state heavyweight division in 2008 and won district heavyweight titles in both 2008 and 2009, showcasing his skills and endurance. These wrestling achievements honed his hand-fighting technique and leverage, skills that later translated to football line play. Britt also competed in track & field events at Lebanon High School, contributing to his overall athletic versatility without notable individual state-level accolades recorded. His multi-sport background emphasized balanced development, as he credited the variety for building resilience and explosiveness. Recruitment interest surged during his junior and senior years, with rankings as the No. 19 overall prospect in Missouri by Rivals.com and the No. 74 offensive tackle nationally by ESPN, ultimately leading to his commitment to the University of Missouri.

College career

University of Missouri

Britt committed to the out of High School and enrolled in 2009, redshirting his season to focus on physical conditioning and adapting to college-level play. As a redshirt in 2010, he appeared in all 13 games as a backup offensive lineman, providing depth at guard and tackle while the Tigers finished the season with a 10-3 record. In 2011, Britt earned the starting left tackle position, anchoring the line for all 13 games as compiled an 8-5 record and amassed 6,182 total offensive yards, including 3,172 rushing yards. Britt's versatility allowed him to play both left and right tackle throughout his career, starting 30 games at left tackle and 6 at right tackle across 49 total appearances and 36 starts from 2010 to 2013. In 2012, despite missing the final 3.5 games due to a knee injury, he contributed to a unit that supported 4,277 total offensive yards in a transitional 5-7 season in the SEC. His senior year in 2013 marked a high point, as he started all 13 regular-season games at left tackle for a 12-2 team that reached the Cotton Bowl, where the offensive line allowed 27 sacks all season while enabling 6,870 total offensive yards and 3,330 rushing yards. Physically, Britt entered at 6 feet 6 inches and approximately 285 pounds as a redshirt freshman, bulking up to 325 pounds by his senior year through dedicated that enhanced his run-blocking power and pass protection. Academically, he earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2010 and received the team's Underclassman Leadership Award in 2012, reflecting his role in a program culture under coach that prioritized academic progress, as evidenced by 's top-10 percent NCAA APR ranking for football during his tenure.

College achievements

During his four seasons at the , Justin Britt started 36 of 49 games, primarily at offensive tackle, establishing himself as a reliable and versatile lineman. He earned the 2012 Team Underclassman Leadership Award for his on-field contributions and off-field influence among younger players. Additionally, Britt received Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 honors in 2010, recognizing his balance of athletic and scholarly performance during Missouri's final years in the conference. Britt's senior year in 2013 marked his pinnacle achievement, as he was selected to the First-Team All-SEC after starting all 14 games at left tackle. His protection anchored an explosive offense that ranked 13th nationally in scoring at 39.1 and top-20 in total yards, contributing to a 12-2 record, the SEC East Division title, and a 41-31 victory over Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl. Britt's efforts helped limit opposing defenses to 27 sacks allowed on the season, showcasing his role in elevating the Tigers' line to one of the conference's most improved units. Entering the 2014 NFL Draft, Britt's college performance positioned him as a high-value prospect due to his size, experience, and athleticism. At the , he measured 6 feet 6 inches and 325 pounds, recorded a 5.19-second , and completed 23 repetitions at 225 pounds—metrics that highlighted his speed and strength for an offensive lineman of his build. These attributes, combined with his 36 career starts against SEC competition, led to his selection in the second round (64th overall) by the , validating his status as a top-tier draft talent.

Professional career

Seattle Seahawks

Britt was selected by the in the second round (64th overall) of the out of the . As a rookie, he secured the starting right tackle position during and started all 16 regular-season games, providing protection for quarterback on the right side of the offensive line. His performance in that debut season contributed to a Seahawks offense that ranked 1st in rushing yards per game, averaging 172.6 yards. In , Britt transitioned to left guard amid injuries and lineup adjustments on the offensive line, starting all 16 games in the new role while helping anchor a unit that allowed 36 sacks, ranking 19th in the . He shifted again to ahead of the 2016 season, a position he held through 2019, starting 15 games in 2016, all 16 in 2017, 15 of 16 in 2018, and 8 in 2019 before a season-ending injury. Over his six seasons with , Britt demonstrated remarkable durability and versatility, starting 86 of the 87 games he played across three different positions on the offensive line. His consistent presence helped stabilize the line during a period when the Seahawks reached the three times, including a run to their second consecutive . Britt's rookie year culminated in a start at right tackle during after the 2014 season, where the Seahawks faced the . In that game, he contributed to an offensive line effort that limited the Patriots to three sacks until the final drive, earning the highest grade among right tackles in the previous eight Super Bowls (+2.9) from despite regular-season inconsistencies at the position. Britt's overall performance with was marked by low penalty counts relative to his snap volume; for example, he committed just six penalties in 2015 while allowing 2.5 sacks as left guard, aiding an offense that ranked top-10 in points per game (26.4). No selections came during his tenure, but his reliability earned team recognition. In August 2017, Britt signed a three-year contract extension with the Seahawks worth $27 million, including $5.89 million in guarantees, securing his role as the starting through 2019. The deal reflected his value as a foundational piece of the offensive line during Seattle's competitive years. Following the 2019 season, the Seahawks released Britt on April 27, 2020, clearing $8.5 million in space after his six-year stint.

Houston Texans

On March 5, 2021, following a year away from football due to a 2019 knee injury, Justin Britt signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans worth up to $5 million, marking his return to the after being released by the in 2020. He was immediately installed as the starting , leveraging his prior experience across the offensive line to anchor a rebuilding unit. In the 2021 season, Britt started 11 games total at , including the first six (weeks 1-5 and 7, missing week 6 inactive), before suffering a injury that landed him on injured reserve on October 30; he was designated for return on November 25 and started five more games (weeks 12-14, 16-17, missing week 15). During his starts, the Texans recorded a 2-9 mark, with Britt contributing to an offensive line that allowed 39 sacks overall, ranking 18th in . His performance earned a 64.5 overall grade from , including a 70.5 run-blocking grade that ranked among the better marks for centers and represented his strongest such effort since 2016. Britt re-signed with the Texans on March 14, 2022, to a two-year, $9 million extension, but his role was limited by persistent knee issues and personal matters, including depression and challenges. He started only the season opener on —a 20-20 tie against the —before being placed on the reserve/non-football illness list on September 20, appearing in no further games that year. Over two seasons with , Britt started 12 of 12 , contributing to a total career tally of 99 and 98 started. The Texans released Britt on March 3, 2023, clearing $3.05 million in cap space and effectively concluding his professional playing career.

Post-retirement life

Retirement and transition

Following his release from the Houston Texans on March 3, 2023, Justin Britt retired from the at the age of 31. Britt concluded an eight-season professional career in which he appeared in 99 games, starting primarily at right tackle early on before shifting to guard and center roles across his tenures with the and Texans. In immediate post-retirement reflections, Britt highlighted the significant physical toll of his NFL years, including a 2019 ACL tear in his right and extensive damage that necessitated weekly fluid drainage during his final seasons, contributing to his decision to step away. The transition out of professional football brought challenges for Britt, such as adapting to daily life without the intense structure and camaraderie of team sports, though his career earnings of over $28 million provided a measure of . Capping his playing legacy, Britt was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in February 2024 as part of the Class of 2024.

Advocacy and running pursuits

Following his retirement from the NFL in 2023, Justin Britt discovered running as a vital outlet for his struggles, beginning in June 2023 at the suggestion of his , Alicia. Initially skeptical due to chronic issues from his football career, Britt's first attempt was grueling—he couldn't complete a single mile in the heat—but he persisted, resuming a consistent routine around early 2024 and running daily thereafter. This shift helped him drop 60 pounds and rebuild a sense of purpose, transforming running from a reluctant exercise into a cornerstone of his emotional recovery. In a November 2025 interview, Britt detailed experiencing depression after his career ended, noting how running provided relief from isolation and loss of identity. Under the guidance of coach Emily Venters, whom he connected with after participating in the Bloomsday race in Spokane in May 2025, Britt developed a structured regimen focused on endurance building and . He progressed from struggling with short distances to completing nearly a dozen half-marathons within a year, including a personal best of 1:34:47 at the Rock The Parkway Half Marathon in April 2025 despite his 6'6", 260-pound frame. For his full-marathon debut at the 2025 on October 12, Britt targeted a sub-three-hour finish but clocked a time of 3:36:51, marking a significant milestone in his journey and celebrating it as his "Super Bowl" on . On , October 10, 2025, Britt publicly shared his experiences of post-career isolation and fragility in an interview with Running Magazine, emphasizing how running provided clarity and routine amid the challenges of leaving football. He has since advocated for mental health awareness among retired athletes through high-profile discussions, including features in and detailing his spiral after his final 2022 game and running's role in his healing, as well as the Chicago Sun-Times ahead of his marathon. Britt draws parallels between running's communal aspects and football's , crediting support from his wife and coach for his progress. Britt's efforts extend to community involvement, where he participates in local races like the event to share his story and inspire others facing similar transitions, fostering discussions on mental wellness in group settings reminiscent of his NFL days. Through and event appearances, such as the upcoming Mukilteo in November 2025, he promotes running as an accessible tool for emotional resilience, encouraging broader participation in wellness-focused activities.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.