Jared Lorenzen, after topping 500 pounds, aims to get himself and others healthier

[Dwight Schrute]

When Jared Lorenzen was cut by the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts in 2008, he was listed at 6-4 and 285 pounds. He wouldn’t step on a scale again for eight years.

When he finally did, the digital readout climbed to 502.8 pounds.

The former University of Kentucky and Highlands High School quarterback has struggled with his weight for much of his life. Affectionately, although sometimes derisively, dubbed the “Hefty Lefty” or the “Pillsbury Throwboy,” he tossed touchdowns, won games and set records for the Cats in the early 2000s.

Lorenzen got back on the scale last year for “The Jared Lorenzen Project,” a video journal that will document his attempt to take control of his health and inspire others to do the same.

http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/ex-cats/article164636532.html

I'm rooting for him - I know he has always struggled with his weight.

[TrueblueCATfan]

So am I......good luck Jared

[Spiritof96]

I had a relative like him who embraced this odd football value of being big (even when playing days were over), celebrated food, made a joke of being / needing to out eat everyone, and had great trouble keeping his weight below 450. It was very sad to watch. He looked fine at 280, ok at 310, but north of that... who cares if it means you can bench 500 lbs.

My eldest (4) looks like he was born to play offensive tackle but I hate what thier bodies go through to be sucessful at that position. (or any O line position)

[Dwight Schrute]

Football is fun to watch, but I and my wife have kinda decided to not let our son play football. Between what it does to your body and the research regarding concussions, no way is it safe or healthy to play.

[Spiritof96]

Football is fun to watch, but I and my wife have kinda decided to not let our son play football. Between what it does to your body and the research regarding concussions, no way is it safe or healthy to play.

I am more or less on that page. I worry about what happens when he wants to or is pressured to. My wife's brother's entire high school experience was dominated by people pressuring him to play football.

[Dwight Schrute]

I'm a big guy who's pretty athletic for his size, so I got pressured almost weekly in high school - especially the year I had the football coach as a history teacher. Sometimes I think I shoulda played, because I might've been pretty good. But ultimately, I think it's good that I didn't.

[Catsrock]

Old School's picture of Jared (post #161) in the countdown thread does NOT look like a guy headed for 500 lbs. I understand he was a teenager then but still you'd think he would have been obese then if he were headed that direction. Anyway, we all like and care for him and hope he gets healthy.

[Lighthouse]

I used to hear fans say, Put us in the end zone fat boy. Now, I'm pulling for you to take it off big guy!

[Spiritof96]

Old School's picture of Jared (post #161) in the countdown thread does NOT look like a guy headed for 500 lbs. I understand he was a teenager then but still you'd think he would have been obese then if he were headed that direction. Anyway, we all like and care for him and hope he gets healthy.

My relative didn't look like someone headed for 450 either. In J Lo's case he was carrying luggage he didn't need at UK and I think that was a pretty big indicator of potential problems to come.

[Blue Heaven]

I sure hope he makes his goal. He was competitive as hell when he was our QB.

[Matt Dillon]

I sure hope he makes his goal. He was competitive as hell when he was our QB.

Had he been playing about 50-60 lbs. lighter, he would have been a much better QB in my opinion.

[VirginiaBlue]

I will never forget the 2003 Arkansas game that went 7 OT's, when Jared turned and yelled at the people leaving the stands (the game took 5 hours), "where you people going? You're going to miss a helluva game!".

[johnkyblue]

I will never forget the 2003 Arkansas game that went 7 OT's, when Jared turned and yelled at the people leaving the stands (the game took 5 hours), "where you people going? You're going to miss a helluva game!".

That's one of three games I used to use, I've forgotten one, as examples why we don't leave. The other was a 14-13 win over Vandy.

[KCKUKFan]

That's one of three games I used to use, I've forgotten one, as examples why we don't leave. The other was a 14-13 win over Vandy.

The only problem with that seven OT game is that we lost. It was such a brutal, demoralizing way to lose that it deflated my excitement about the rest of that season.

[George]

The only problem with that seven OT game is that we lost. It was such a brutal, demoralizing way to lose that it deflated my excitement about the rest of that season.

Arkansas' QB that year was Matt Jones, right? I think he went on to do a lot of coke and play a little WR for the Jaguars.