Former New York Giants QB Jared Lorenzen, whose excessive weight made him something of a cult hero at the University of Kentucky but ultimately hampered his aspirations for a pro career, has launched The Lorenzen Project, a weight-loss initiative that he hopes will not only change his own life, but the lives of others as well.
The impetus for the effort came in part from a shocking weigh-in of 502.8 pounds. Lorenzen claims that the weigh-in, which is included in video below, marked the first time he has stepped on a scale since his NFL career ended when he was released by the Indianapolis Colts in 2008.
Lorenzen, 36, was a four-year starter at Kentucky from 2000-2003. The left-handed quarterback passed for more than 10,000 career yards, and claimed to embrace an assortment of colorful nicknames, including Hefty Lefty, J-Load and The Pillsbury Throwboy. Lorenzen's brief NFL career as a reserve with the Giants resulted in only eight pass attempts in three seasons. His weight ballooned to 320 pounds as a semi-pro quarterback with the Northern Kentucky River Monsters of the Continental Indoor Football League, and that ended for Lorenzen with serious ankle injury, also depicted in the video. Now, Lorenzen is looking to change his life for the better and address his dangerously-high weight.
Lorenzen offered thanks for the initial support he's received -- the project's Facebook page already has secured more than 8,000 likes as of Tuesday afternoon -- via Twitter:
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