Shaggy to Suave: Giants’ Justin Pugh Teams Up With Conair For Men

When Conair for Men decided to launch their new 2 Blade All in One Trimmer, they knew they needed a man who knew a thing or two about protection, efficiency and finesse. With the launch of the Conair For Men 2 Blade All in One Trimmer they reached out to New York Giants’ rookie lineman Justin Pugh.

A Syracuse product who earned All Big East 1st and 2^nd team honors, was the 5^th lineman taken 19^th overall in the defensive heavy 2013 NFL Draft. Known for his versatility and great movement skills Pugh has outperformed all other linemen in his draft class. He has helped his team go from 0-6 to riding the wave of their current 4 game winning streak and staring at the possibility of a post-season.

I caught up with Justin during the fete, hosted at Bar Nana and we talked about everything from adjusting to life in the NFL under the bright NYC lights, discovering his sense of style, and of course the Conair For Men 2 Blade All in One Trimmer.

PPI: With this being your rookie year, how is life in the NFL?

JP: It feels a lot better now than it did in the beginning of the season; starting 0-6 was eye opening. Win you’re winning a in a city like New York there’s nothing like it, but if you’re losing it is the total opposite. But to come back and now be in the race to make a playoff run feels great.

PPI: What has changed that created the turn around to take you all from 0-6 to 4-6? Where are the Giants headed down the stretch?

JP: Focusing on the game in front of us, staying healthy, eliminating turnovers, penalties and overcoming mental errors have definitely caused our season to shift and it’s something that we have been working on consistently. Also, guys are healthy again and our offensive isn’t changing every week so we can get things done on the field efficiently. We definitely have our eyes on the post-season.

PPI: Now as for you, where are headed, we have seen you make a tremendous turn around from earlier this season? Do you attribute your improvement with becoming more comfortable with your role on the team?

JP: Definitely, after suffering a concussion in preseason camp, it took me some time to come in and learn my role on the team. Becoming comfortable with my assignments, learning where I should be at all times, keep defenses guessing and be able to contribute to my team 100%. After the Carolina game, which was a game where I didn’t play my best and I use that game as a learning tool of what not to do and how to improve. I never want to be the guy that misses a guy on a run block, misses a sack, or gets taken advantage of by my opponent; I never want to be that guy again.

PPI: Enough football, I must say you’re quite dapper, what is Justin’s fashion sense like?

JP: I was taught from a young age to always dress the part and the NFL is a business and I wanted to make the best impression I could. My agent told me in the beginning, we’re going to get you in a custom suit and be ready for business at all times. Now that I have teamed up with Con-Air, I can also make sure my grooming is on point at all times as well the Conair For Men 2 Blade All in One Trimmer can go anywhere I go so my look is always complete.

PPI: You’re a big guy with a great sense of style, and lot of men like you are always on the look for fashion inspiration. So tell us who are some of your fave designers and who are you wearing tonight?

JP: Tonight I am wearing elevee, the cut of their jackets is perfect for us tall guys. They make great custom suits and jackets that I can wear from meetings to dinner. And Del Toro shoes, which were introduced to me by one of my teammates, pull my look together. I also wear a lot of Lacoste and like shopping at Nordstrom Rack.

PPI: Nordstrom Rack, a man who shops designer at a discount, gotta love it.

PPI: With your personal grooming how has the Conair For Men 2 Blade All in One Trimmer made life on the road easier?

JP: The Conair For Men 2 Blade All in One Trimmer keeps my beard tamed/tapered especially when we’re on the road. If we have a game in Dallas on Monday night and I am running short on time I don’t have to scramble to a barber or find one who may not shape me up just right. I can whip out the Conair For Men 2 Blade All in One Trimmer and trim myself up, no need to search for a barber when Con-Air makes it easy for me to handle my beard myself.

Justin Pugh is arguably the most refreshing NFL rookie I have had the pleasure of meeting and the team at Con-Air couldn’t have picked a more perfect athlete to be on their team.

Photos courtesy Justin Pugh and Conair