ECU legend Linval Joseph named special guest for 2026 Pirate Radio Football Kickoff Party

by | Jul 23, 2026

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Pirate Radio is excited to announce that ECU legend, Super Bowl Champion, and two-time Pro Bowler Linval Joseph will serve as the special guest of honor at the 2026 Pirate Radio Football Kickoff Party on Thursday, September 10, at the Greenville Hilton.
Joseph will make his first return to Greenville since 2009, giving Pirate fans a rare opportunity to welcome home one of the greatest defensive linemen in East Carolina football history.
During his career at ECU from 2007-2009, Joseph recorded 143 tackles, including 29.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. As a junior in 2009, he earned First-Team All-Conference USA honors while helping lead the Pirates to back-to-back Conference USA championships under head coach Skip Holtz. Joseph is widely regarded as one of the premier defensive players in school history and is expected to become a future member of the East Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame.
The New York Giants selected Joseph with the 46th overall pick in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Just two seasons later, he helped anchor the Giants’ defense as a starter in Super Bowl XLVI, recording two tackles in New York’s 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots.
Over a distinguished NFL career spanning more than a decade, Joseph earned Pro Bowl selections in 2016 and 2017 and played for the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, and Dallas Cowboys.
The annual Pirate Radio Football Kickoff Party has become one of the premier celebrations leading into the college football season, bringing together Pirate fans, former players, coaches, and supporters from across Eastern North Carolina for an unforgettable night of entertainment and Pirate pride.
Free tickets to the 2026 Pirate Radio Football Kickoff Party will be available beginning in late August. Fans are encouraged to follow @PR927FM on social media and listen to Pirate Radio for ticket announcements, event updates, and additional details.
Event Information
2026 Pirate Radio Football Kickoff Party
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026
Location: Greenville Hilton
Special Guest: ECU Legend, Super Bowl Champion & Two-Time Pro Bowler Linval Joseph
Party Like a Pirate with Pirate Radio – The Voice of the Pirate Nation.

Top Headlines

ECU Pirate Club to launch 50/50 raffle at home football games

The ECU Pirate Club is introducing 50/50 raffles, which will be held leading up to each home football game this season, the organization has announced. Dr Check out Pirate Radio Download our mobile app now! Website | Facebook | X (formerly Twitter) | Instagram |...

PRL Wednesday: Halfway to ECU football home opener on Saturday

Wednesday's edition of "Pirate Radio Live" takes us one step closer to Saturday's ECU football home opener with Appalachian State. We'll speak with Adam Witten, the ASU play-by-play voice, to get his thoughts on Saturday's game. We'll also be joined by a host of...

The Brian Bailey Show: Andrew Bayes and Junior Smith

Tuesday's edition of "The Brian Bailey Show" will feature two ECU Hall of Famers. Andrew Bayes and Junior Smith will be on to talk about ECU's loss to Alabama last Saturday and the home opener this Saturday against Appalachian State. Bailey will also have additional...

PRL Monday: Shifting focus from Alabama to Appalachian State

It's Monday, and we're laboring forward with the Labor Day edition of "Pirate Radio Live." We'll have more reactions from Saturday's season-opening loss at Alabama, and begin looking at Saturday's noon home opener between the Pirates and Appalachian State. WNCT's...

Pirates drop opener at No. 13 Alabama, 48-10

East Carolina's football team dropped its season opener on Saturday, 48-10 against Alabama. Check out Pirate Radio Download our mobile app now! Website | Facebook | X (formerly Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify ===== Photo and story by ECU...