Aliquippa graduate Dravon Askew-Henry joins New York Giants
Aliquippa’s Dravon Askew-Henry made history Tuesday when he became the first player to move from the XFL to the New York Giants, agreeing to terms on a two-year contract, according to the New York Post and other outlets.
During his time with the New York Guardians of the upstart league, the former West Virginia safety achieved another rarity — getting called for two penalties on one play and catching the flag after the first one.
Before the XFL suspended operations in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Askew-Henry was called for a holding penalty against the Los Angeles Wildcats. He caught the flag before it hit the ground and tossed it back in the direction of the official.
That was a mistake.
The official didn’t laugh and signaled another member of his crew to throw his flag — 15 yards, unsportsmanlike conduct.
At West Virginia, Askew-Henry started a school-record 51 games, primarily at safety, and recorded 215 tackles and six interceptions.
He was not drafted, but has spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers. He was with the Steelers last year in training camp.
Askew-Henry, 24, is a cousin of former Pitt and Aliquippa star Darrelle Revis, a four-time All-Pro cornerback during his 11-year NFL career.
With the Guardians, Askew-Henry played for coach Kevin Gilbride, a former offensive coordinator of the Steelers and Giants.
Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.
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