Usama Young, a former safety who played eight seasons in the NFL and won Super Bowl XLIV with the Saints, has been announced as Vice President of Player Engagement for the New York Giants.
Young had served in the NFL Player Engagement office since 2017 and helped support players and their families through continuing education, financial literacy, and development in their personal and professional lives during and after their playing days. Young also worked with rookies specifically to guide them in their physical, mental, and financial well-being.
"Usama brings incredible experience to our organization," general manager Joe Schoen said. "He will be a great resource for our players."
View photos of Giants Vice President of Player Engagement and former NFL defensive back Usama Young.
Usama Young, former safety for the New Orleans Saints, signs hats for students during the Character Playbook Speaker Series on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 at Bricolage Academy in New Orleans. Funded by the NFL Foundation, Character Playbook is a digital education resource that supports positive character development, mental wellness and healthy relationships in middle and high school students. The Healthy Relationships program is available nationally to middle school students at no cost to K-12 schools, having reached more than 3 million students nationwide. (Doug Benc/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Usama Young addresses the audience during the NFL Social Justice Town Hall on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 ahead of the NFL Draft in Kansas City, MO. The community-driven discussion was designed to bring together like-minded individuals who are passionate about a shared human responsibility to create a world that is free from the inequalities of race, gender, and class. (AP Photo/Katie Currid)
Alontae Taylor, cornerback for The New Orleans Saints, and Usama Young, former safety The New Orleans Saints, join others on a panel at The Character Playbook Speaker Series on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 at Bricolage Academy in New Orleans. Funded by the NFL Foundation, Character Playbook is a digital education resource that supports positive character development, mental wellness and healthy relationships in middle and high school students. The Healthy Relationships program is available nationally to middle school students at no cost to K-12 schools, having reached more than 3 million students nationwide. (Doug Benc/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Usama Young, former safety for The New Orleans Saints, center, speaks at the Character Playbook Speaker Series alongside Alontae Taylor, cornerback for The New Orleans Saints, left, and a Saints cheerleader on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 at Bricolage Academy in New Orleans. Funded by the NFL Foundation, Character Playbook is a digital education resource that supports positive character development, mental wellness and healthy relationships in middle and high school students. The Healthy Relationships program is available nationally to middle school students at no cost to K-12 schools, having reached more than 3 million students nationwide. (Doug Benc/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Alontae Taylor, cornerback for The New Orleans Saints, center, speaks at the Character Playbook Speaker Series alongside Elicia Broussard Sheridan, Vice President of Community Relations and Youth Sports Development, left, and Usama Young, former safety for The New Orleans Saints, on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 at Bricolage Academy in New Orleans. Funded by the NFL Foundation, Character Playbook is a digital education resource that supports positive character development, mental wellness and healthy relationships in middle and high school students. The Healthy Relationships program is available nationally to middle school students at no cost to K-12 schools, having reached more than 3 million students nationwide. (Doug Benc/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Usama Young, former safety for the New Orleans Saints, participates in a breakout session during the Character Playbook Speaker Series on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 at Bricolage Academy in New Orleans. Funded by the NFL Foundation, Character Playbook is a digital education resource that supports positive character development, mental wellness and healthy relationships in middle and high school students. The Healthy Relationships program is available nationally to middle school students at no cost to K-12 schools, having reached more than 3 million students nationwide. (Doug Benc/AP Content Services for the NFL)
New Orleans Saints Usama Young, center, reacts during the NFL football match between San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday Oct. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Cleveland Browns safety Usama Young warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
New Orleans Saints safety Usama Young catches the ball prior to their NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Cleveland Browns safety Usama Young catches the ball during warmups before facing the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
New Orleans Saints safety Usama Young (28) before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne (7) is taken down by Cleveland Browns safety Usama Young (28) in the fourth quarter in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
New Orleans Saints safety Usama Young warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush is wrapped up by Cleveland Browns safety Usama Young (28) and safety T.J. Ward, bottom, in the third quarter in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, in Cleveland. The Browns won the game 17-16. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Usama Young is greeted by fans as he leaves after the NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009 in Landover, Md. The Saints won 33 - 30 in overtime. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Kellon Winslow (82) is stopped by New Orleans Saints defender Usama Young (28) during the second half of their NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
New Orleans Saints safety Usama Young (28) in an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
New Orleans Saints safety Usama Young (28) at the Saints NFL football training camp in Metairie, La., Friday, Aug. 6, 2010. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Kellon Winslow (82) is stopped by New Orleans Saints defender Usama Young (28) in the second half of their NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
New Orleans Saints safety Usama Young (28) in an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
New Orleans Saints safety Usama Young (28) celebrates a defensive stop in the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jimmy Clausen (2) looks to throw past New Orleans Saints safety Usama Young (28) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, October 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Oakland Raiders' Usama Young stretches before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, at Wembley Stadium in London. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
New Orleans Saints safety Usama Young (28) stops Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
New Orleans Saints safety Usama Young runs with the football after making a catch during drills on the second day of training camp at their NFL football training facility in Metairie, La., Saturday, July 31, 2010. (AP Photo/Chuck Cook)
New Orleans Saints safety Usama Young (28) stretches during practice in Miami on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010. The Saints are scheduled to play the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL football Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
New Orleans Saints safety Usama Young (28) runs through drills on the first day of training camp at their NFL football training facility in Metairie, La., Friday, July 30, 2010. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Oakland Raiders' Usama Young shoves Miami Dolphins' Jarvis Landry out of bounds during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, at Wembley Stadium in London. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
New Orleans Saints Usama Young (28) yells during an NFL football divisional playoff game in New Orleans against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
Oakland Raiders' Usama Young stretches before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, at Wembley Stadium in London. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Jeff King, left, against Cleveland Browns strong safety Usama Young, right, in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
Cleveland Browns defensive back Usama Young celebrates after the Browns defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 30-7 in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Browns defensive back Usama Young during a timeout against the Cincinnati Bengals during an an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Oakland Raiders cornerback Tracy Porter, left, celebrates with free safety Usama Young after intercepting Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oakland Raiders strong safety Usama Young (26) is seen during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014 in London, England. Miami won 38-14. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Oakland Raiders strong safety Usama Young (26) looks into the New England Patriots offense during the third quarter of an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) attempts to run the ball before being tackled by Oakland Raiders strong safety Usama Young (26) during an NFL football game at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014 in London, England. Miami won 38-14. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Cleveland Browns defensive back Usama Young walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Cleveland Browns free safety Usama Young (28) is congratulated after intercepting a pass by Dener Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning in the end zone during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
Cleveland Browns free safety Usama Young, left, and outside linebacker Scott Fujita (99) stop Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) during the second half of an NFL football game in Baltimore, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Oakland Raiders free safety Usama Young (26) celebrates after sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne with linebacker Nick Roach (53) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. The Raiders won 19-9. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Oakland Raiders Usama Young trains children during an event at Guildford, England, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. The Raiders will play the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game at London's Wembley Stadium on Sunday Sept. 28. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
Oakland Raiders free safety Usama Young (26) dives to tackle Dallas Cowboys running back Lance Dunbar (25) during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game in Oakland, Calif., Friday, Aug. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oakland Raiders Usama Young jokes during a photo opportunity following a training event for children at Guildford, England, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. The Raiders will play the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game at London's Wembley Stadium on Sunday Sept. 28. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
Oakland Raiders free safety Usama Young (26) celebrates after sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne with outside linebacker Kevin Burnett (94) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) is tackled by Oakland Raiders free safety Usama Young (26) during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Oakland Raiders Usama Young trains children during an event at Guildford, England, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. The Raiders will play the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game at London's Wembley Stadium on Sunday Sept. 28. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
Miami Dolphins' Rishard Matthews, left, dives for extra-yardage against Oakland Raiders' Usama Young during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, at Wembley Stadium in London. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
Cleveland Browns free safety Usama Young celebrates after picking off a Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning pass in the second quarter an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Oakland Raiders strong safety Usama Young warms up before an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Oakland Raiders defensive bacsk Usama Young (26) and Chimdi Chekwa (35) run drill during practice at NFL football minicamp in Alameda, Calif., Wednesday, June 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Oakland Raiders free safety Usama Young (26) defends a pass intended for San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) is sacked by Oakland Raiders strong safety Usama Young (26) during an NFL football game at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014 in London, England. Miami won 38-14. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Cleveland Browns free safety Usama Young (28) tries to recover a fumble against the Washington Redskins during an NFL football game in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Oakland Raiders free safety Usama Young puts on his helmet after stretching at NFL football training camp Friday, Aug. 2, 2013, in Napa, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Oakland Raiders free safety Usama Young (26) before an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Usama Young reacts during the NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Oakland Raiders strong safety Usama Young (26) reacts after incomplete pass intended for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline (82) during an NFL football game at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014 in London, England. Miami won 38-14. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Oakland Raiders free safety Usama Young (26) celebrates after sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne with outside linebacker Kevin Burnett (94) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Cleveland Browns defensive back Usama Young after an off-season practice at the NFL football team's headquarters in Berea, Ohio Thursday, June 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
Oakland Raiders free safety Usama Young (26) during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oakland Raiders strong safety Usama Young (26) downs a punt in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday Sept. 21, 2014, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Oakland Raiders free safety Usama Young carries the ball during their NFL football training camp Saturday, July 27, 2013, in Napa, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Oakland Raiders Usama Young trains children during an event at Guildford, England, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. The Raiders will play the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game at London's Wembley Stadium on Sunday Sept. 28. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
Cleveland Browns defensive back Usama Young stretches during the NFL football training camp Sunday, July 29, 2012, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Oakland Raiders' Usama Young (26) stands on the sideline during an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Oakland Raiders free safety Usama Young (26) celebrates after sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne with cornerback Tracy Porter during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. The Raiders won 19-9. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oakland Raiders cornerback Mike Jenkins, left, and safety Usama Young, right, during their NFL football training camp Friday, July 26, 2013, in Napa, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
New Orleans Saints' Usama Young (28) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Derrick Roberson (29) during a special teams play in the first half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
New Orleans Saints saftey Usama Young trades high fives with fans after defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38-7 in an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Usama Young celebrates with a teammate during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, in St. Louis. The Saints won 28-23. AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Oakland Raiders free safety Usama Young (26) celebrates after sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne with outside linebacker Kevin Burnett (94) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Usama Young celebrates a stop during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Ram Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, in St. Louis. The Saints won 28-23. AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
New Orleans Saints Usama Young (28) during an NFL Preseason game between the Cincinnati Bengals and New Orleans Saints in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Friday, Aug 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Sean Gardner)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Usama Young, bottom, signs autographs before the start of an NFL football game with the New York Giants in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Usama Young stretches before an NFL football game between the Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009 in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Usama Young (28) breaks up a pass in front of Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (12) in the first quarter during an NFL preseason football game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009. Saints' Jabari Greer (32) is also in on th play. (AP Photo/Marcio Sanchez)
Houston Texans' Jacoby Jones (12) fumbles as New Orleans Saints' Usama Young (28) reaches for the ball in the first half of their NFL preseason football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008. Jones was attempting to field a punt when he fumbled and the Saints recovered. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
Young entered the NFL as a third-round pick (66th overall) by New Orleans in 2007 and became a stalwart on special teams. Most notably, he was part of the "Ambush" unit that pulled off a successful onside kick to begin the second half of Super Bowl XLIV, helping the Saints beat the Colts. The ball was officially recovered by Jonathan Casillas, who went on to play his final three seasons with the Giants and is currently a broadcaster for the team.
Young played two more seasons apiece with the Browns and Raiders, finishing his career with a total of eight interceptions (including one against the Giants in 2012), 27 passes defensed, six sacks, and four fumble recoveries.
Young all the while made an impact away from the playing field.
The Washington, D.C. native started the Usama Young Youth foundation in 2009 and later changed the name in 2014 to Believe in U. Over the years, it has empowered countless students through mentorship and volunteering.
Young was the Saints' representative for the Byron "Whizzer" White Award (later renamed Alan Page Community Award), the highest honor the NFL Players Association can bestow on a player for going above and beyond in community service in their team cities and hometowns. A few years later, he was the Raiders' nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and served as the team's NFLPA representative.
Young played collegiately at Kent State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies. He also attained a Professional Athlete Development Certification from The Wharton School, a Master of Science in Strategic Management from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, an Executive Education Certificate from USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, and Leadership and Advocacy Certification from Morehouse College.
View photos from the Quest Diagnostics Training Center as Phase 2 of the offseason workout program begins.
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S Jevón Holland (8), S Tyler Nubin (27)
S Jevón Holland (8)
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