Aaron Curry ( American football ) Aaron Curry ( born April 6 , 1986 ) is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks fourth overall in the 2009 NFL Draft . He also played for the Oakland Raiders in 2011 and 2012 . He played college football at Wake Forest . Early years . Curry attended E . E . Smith High School in Fayetteville , North Carolina . While there he played linebacker and tight end . He earned all - conference and all - region honors and was the conferences defensive player of the year as a senior after recording 123 tackles . He was also selected to the North Carolina – South Carolina Shrine Bowl as a tight end . Considered only a two - star recruit by both " Rivals " and " Scout . com " , Curry chose to play college football at Wake Forest over East Carolina , the only two scholarships he was offered . Curry said he chose Wake Forest in part because it was two hours from home , but mostly for revenge . " Anybody who passed me up , I was going to punish them . That ' s why I chose the ACC , [ because ] those schools like Carolina , Duke , and North Carolina State were right around the corner , and I wasn ' t wanted by any of them . " College career . As a freshman in 2005 he started 10 of 11 games and was the teams fifth leading tackler with 39 . After his great season he was named second team Freshman All - American and ACC All - Freshman Team by the " Sporting News " . As a sophomore in 2006 he started all 14 games at outside linebacker , finishing second on the team in tackles with 83 . Curry ' s breakout season came as a junior in 2007 . During the season he tied the NCAA record for the most interception returns for touchdown in a season by a linebacker with three . He also broke the school record with 226 interception return yards . He finished the season second on the team and 13th in the ACC in tackles with 99 , and earned Second team All - ACC honors and second team All - America honors from CollegeSportsReport . com . Curry seriously considered entering the 2008 NFL Draft to provide for his family , but later chose to return . In his senior season he had 105 tackles , including 16 for a loss , and was the winner of the Butkus Award . Curry was also selected an All - American by ESPN , " Pro Football Weekly " , and " Sports Illustrated " . Curry graduated in 2009 with a bachelor ' s degree in sociology . Professional career . 2009 NFL Draft . Curry was widely believed to be the best linebacker available in the 2009 NFL Draft . Considered a " safe pick " , he was even in the debate for the No . 1 pick overall — which would ' ve made him the first linebacker selected first overall since Aundray Bruce in 1988 . ESPN ′ s Mel Kiper , Jr . compared Curry to Keith Bulluck . Curry was drafted fourth overall by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2009 NFL Draft . He was the highest drafted linebacker since LaVar Arrington went second overall in the 2000 NFL Draft to the Washington Redskins , and the highest Wake Forest Demon Deacon since Norm Snead went second overall to the Washington Redskins in the 1961 NFL Draft . Seattle Seahawks . On August 8 , 2009 , Curry signed a six - year , $ 60 million contract including $ 34 million guaranteed , the most money ever guaranteed to a non - quarterback rookie in NFL history . Curry became the starting strongside linebacker for the Seahawks immediately . In his first career game against the St . Louis Rams he recorded four tackles . He recorded his first career sack against Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler in week 3 . Oakland Raiders . Curry was traded to the Oakland Raiders on October 12 , 2011 , in exchange for a seventh - round draft pick in 2012 and a conditional pick in 2013 . On November 16 , 2012 , Curry was fined $ 23 , 625 for two offenses against the Baltimore Ravens . On November 20 , 2012 , Curry was waived by the Oakland Raiders after spending all but two weeks of the 2012 season on the physically unable to perform ( PUP ) list . New York Giants . Curry signed a one - year deal with the New York Giants on May 10 , 2013 . Personal . Curry is the son of former Detroit Lions and Baltimore Colts defensive back Reggie Pinkney ; he has had a minimal relationship with his father . His brother is former NFL linebacker Eric Barton . He currently resides in North Carolina .