As a senior basketball player, he averaged 16.1 points and 9.8 rebounds while making 24 three-pointers. He also received the school's US Army Reserve Scholar-Athlete award.[5]
Tucker attended Princeton University. He was a four-year starter on the Tigers Ivy League football squad. He started against Colgate University as a freshman at defensive end.[6]
As a sophomore, he moved to right guard.[7] He was named All-Ivy in 2000 and was a two-time Academic All-American selection.[8] In 2019, he was named to the university's 150th Anniversary team.
Tucker signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent after the 2001 NFL Draft. He surprised observers by making the team, even though he suffered a broken hand and a partially torn MCL.[9] The next year, he started 7 games at right guard. He was waived on October 22, 2002.
The Dallas Cowboys claimed Tucker off waivers on October 23, 2002.[10] He started at left guard during the last 7 games of the season in place of an injured Larry Allen.[11] On June 5, 2003, he was released after minicamp.[12]
Tucker was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills on June 16, 2003, and appeared in 12 games, with five starts at right guard.[13] In 2004, he started nine games at left guard and four at center.[14] In 2003, he was named to the USA Today All-Joe team.[15] After missing minicamps because of offseason back surgery and being limited with injuries, he was cut on September 3, 2005.
On August 8, 2006, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a conditional 2007 draft choice (not exercised).[16] On August 8, 2006, after LeCharles Bentley tore his patella tendon, Tucker was acquired from the Patriots for a conditional 7th round draft pick. He was released on September 2 after starting the final three preseason games.[17]
For the second time on March 8, 2007, Tucker signed with the Redskins again as a free agent. He suffered a career-ending neck injury that bruised his spinal cord during the preseason. On August 28, he was placed on the injured reserve list.[18]
He officially announced his retirement in March 2008.
Tucker joined Sports Illustrated upon his retirement from football in 2008, writing an NFL column. Tucker also has previously written for The Athletic and now writes regularly for The 33rd Team. He hosted The Morning Kickoff with Ross TuckeronSirius XM NFL Radio for over a decade and is a frequent fill-in host on The Dan Patrick Show.[19]
As of 2018 Tucker serves as an analyst for both NFL and College Football games on CBS and Westwood One.[20] Tucker is an NFL insider for Audacy, a contributor to 94.1 WIP in Philadelphia and is the Philadelphia Eagles preseason television analyst. He also hosts podcasts as part of the Ross Tucker Football Podcast network distributed via DraftKings.[21]
