BUZZBEAT
…
David Corenswet as John Tuggle in the Mr. Irrelevant movie trailer
TV & Film

David Corenswet Brings Pure Heart To 'Mr. Irrelevant' Trailer

The 'Superman' star takes on the emotional true story of late New York Giants player John Tuggle.

By Dee AlvarezPublished Updated 2 min read

David Corenswet is trading his iconic superhero cape for a padded football jersey to tell one of the most heartbreaking and inspiring tales in sports history. Fresh off his high-flying stint on the big screen, the actor stars as late gridiron favorite John Tuggle in the emotional biopic *Mr. Irrelevant: The John Tuggle Story*. Fans got their very first glimpse of the tear-jerking film when the debut trailer dropped on Sunday, timed perfectly to celebrate the launch of the 2026 NFL season. Corenswet delivers a powerhouse performance in the teaser, bringing a massive dose of heart, charisma, and grit to the screen as he portrays a player who refused to let the heavy odds crush his big league dreams.

What is the Mr. Irrelevant movie about In professional football culture, "Mr. Irrelevant" is the humorous nickname given to the very last athlete picked in the NFL Draft each year. Back in 1983, that exact title was handed to John Tuggle, a standout running back from the Cal Golden Bears college program who was chosen dead-last by the New York Giants. Instead of feeling embarrassed by the tongue-in-cheek title, Tuggle used the snub as motivation. Driven by a legendary work ethic, an infectious positive attitude, and unstoppable determination, he fought through the brutal heat of summer training camp and grueling preseason games. Against all logical odds, he won over the coaching staff and earned himself a spot on the team's official 53-man roster as a vital special teams contributor.

Did John Tuggle win a Super Bowl with the New York Giants Just as Tuggle was establishing himself in the league, his world was shattered by a devastating cancer diagnosis. Yet, even as he faced brutal chemotherapy treatments, he refused to abandon his passion. Tuggle continued to fight with everything he had to maintain his standing on the roster, deeply moving his teammates and coaching staff with his unbelievable courage. Tragically, Tuggle succumbed to his illness in August 1986. His memory, however, powered the franchise straight to glory. When the New York Giants went on to dominate the field and win Super Bowl XXI later that season, the entire roster took the field wearing Tuggle’s No. 38 jersey number as a commemorative sticker on their helmets, ensuring their brother was right alongside them for the historic win.

More like this

Get the pop news brief

One daily email. The biggest celebrity, music and TV stories, no filler.

Reader reaction

No comments yet — be the first to weigh in.

People also ask

Who plays John Tuggle in the Mr. Irrelevant movie?
Superman actor David Corenswet plays John Tuggle in the upcoming biopic Mr. Irrelevant: The John Tuggle Story.
What is the true story behind Mr. Irrelevant?
The film follows John Tuggle, the final pick in the 1983 NFL draft who earned a roster spot on the New York Giants and bravely fought cancer before passing away in 1986.
  • david corenswet
  • john tuggle
  • new york giants
  • cal golden bears
  • mr. irrelevant: the john tuggle story