Bus: Challenge and Risk to Big Men

[Water Pony]

From WSJ, here is a risk for the Big Men in FB. It is concerning that the sport's reliance on size, increases the risks for athletes and each fan, for that matter.

The Philadelphia Eagles' Shawn Andrews is a fat man. There. It's been said.

He doesn't want to be one, however. Yes, he's an offensive lineman, and "lithe" isn't in the job description. But pushing 400 pounds? That's dangerous, and Mr. Andrews knows it -- and he recently got a tragic reminder.

"In April, weeks into a diet that was showing results, Andrews went to a park near his Arkansas home with a childhood buddy named Willie," writes Ashley Fox in the Philadelphia Inquirer. "The two had ridden the bus together to third grade, had pigged out in home economics class, had played hoops. Like Andrews, Willie was a big man, but unlike Andrews, he had stopped working out years ago. That day, Andrews and Willie sat at the park watching the cars go by, talking about their lives and winking at girls. Afterward, Andrews went to Subway, ordering a chicken teriyaki sandwich on whole wheat bread, Sun chips, and a bottle of water. Two hours later, he got the call. Willie was dead, apparently of a heart attack brought on by high blood pressure. He was 23."

"I don't want to die because I'm too fat," Mr. Andrews says. "Everybody has problems. Everybody has things they have to work on, you know. Everybody's human."

[BUS]

That is a story that is told all too often. The bigger you are the younger you die.

I think about this and think that GOD does not make us all the same size by design and we all have to use the gifts that GOD has given us.

What is too big? We have seen this is sports from the high school to pro level and one thing big guys have to do is see their Dr. regularly.

I am way overweight at 292. I graduated HS at 260 and from SMU at 270. At one point in my life I worked really hard to get to 190 for wrestling. At 220 my health broke and I ended up at the Dr.

My recommendation is to lose if you can. Even at my age, I get 4 workouts in a week. I have all the signs to die early. Large, smoker, drinker but I try to watch what I eat and drink and only smoke 7 to 10 a day.
I used to weigh 340 but after hip replacement I can ride a bike, play tennis and walk. Running and wrestling are my past.

It is a dangerous trend that we see in sports at every level.

Now as far as SMU is concerned, I think PB wants big but also wants quick and lean. We do not have a ton of 330 to 375 pound linemen. ( Hawaii )

The reason I harp on the need for big men is because when PB took over this team he had ONLY 7 members of the team that weighed over 270. That is not going to work at Div. I level.

There is a middle ground and I sure hope that once a players career is over they focus on losing weight and staying active.

[Water Pony]

Bus, thanks for the wonderful post filled with candor. Very inspiring and educational. Lessons learned, aren't easily acquired.

Take care, good care.

[Treadway21]

Bus, I hope you are with us for a very long time. I enjoy your very positive posts. Keep exercising.

[that's great raplh]

I have all the signs to die early. Large, smoker, drinker but I try to watch what I eat and drink and only smoke 7 to 10 a day.

rock on!

but seriously, you should quit smoking - its the dumbest habit

[Arkpony]

Stay with that excercise Bus! And get, and read, the book "Younger Next Year"..it wil extend. or save, your life!

[Water Pony]

Stay with that excercise Bus! And get, and read, the book "Younger Next Year"..it wil extend. or save, your life!

Bus, if you make a commitment, your fellow Ponyfans will help you keep it. It is easier with a 'team' behind you!

Just Do It!

[smudad]

When I see guys like Chad Hennings, I wonder why the NFL (and maybe even the NCAA) can't employee guys like him to help these guys after football. Hennings played at a weight that enabled him to compete in the NFL. Apparently he and a few others like him decided that was not a weight or a life style they could 'live' with after football. Daryl Johnston comes to mind as well. It can be done. But, someone needs to teach these guys (or unteach them) about nitrition. They are a time bomb while they are playing at those huge weights. But, when they quit playing and working out they are almost a certainty to go our early. 300-400 lbs is just not normal.

BUS, you and Kenneth Cooper should be best friends by now. Take care of yourself!

[LakeHighlandsPony]

We do want BUS around for a very long time!! Your doing great-keep at it! Stay away from those muffins they are handing out at the Teachers Breakroom at LH.

[BUS]

Thank you for the nice post. I plan on being around for quite a while.

I thought the first post was about an old high school friend that had let himself go. Keep moving and after you are not on the field, lose some weight. Thank you for the encouragement about smoking, #1 area of concentration.

Do you know the Muffin Man?