I think I know the article you are remembering. The one I'm thinking of was also in Sports Illustrated. It addressed the "super-sized" guys in the NFL, and spoke of how difficult it was for some to control their weight (citing Bubba Paris and William "The Refrigerator" Perry as two examples) during their careers and the effects after their playing days were over. As I recall, it also cited Bruce Smith as the anthesis of that - a guy who weighed over 300 lbs in college, but quickly realized he needed to tone up. It described how on a plane trip Smith opened a package of nuts, ate a single nut, then put it aside. He then described how he hadn't had a McDonalds or Burger King in months, and lamented that some guys didn't have the will power to control their weight - and what that would mean after the NFL.That was quite the crash diet Byford went on. I remember seeing something similar in regards to NFL linemen once they retired. Brad Culpepper(formerly of the Vikes and Bucs) lost nearly 90 lbs and was an avid runner, but most become obese because they are accustomed to eating so much.
I believe so. I think it was an article in SI and it was on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel as well, I seem to remember. They talked about 1 dude who played DL in the 80s-90s, and is now 500 lbs. Kinda sad. Once these guys are done, the NFL kind of turns their back on them, with no regard for their future health.I think I know the article you are remembering. The one I'm thinking of was also in Sports Illustrated. It addressed the "super-sized" guys in the NFL, and spoke of how difficult it was for some to control their weight (citing Bubba Paris and William "The Refrigerator" Perry as two examples) during their careers and the effects after their playing days were over. As I recall, it also cited Bruce Smith as the anthesis of that - a guy who weighed over 300 lbs in college, but quickly realized he needed to tone up. It described how on a plane trip Smith opened a package of nuts, ate a single nut, then put it aside. He then described how he hadn't had a McDonalds or Burger King in months, and lamented that some guys didn't have the will power to control their weight - and what that would mean after the NFL.That was quite the crash diet Byford went on. I remember seeing something similar in regards to NFL linemen once they retired. Brad Culpepper(formerly of the Vikes and Bucs) lost nearly 90 lbs and was an avid runner, but most become obese because they are accustomed to eating so much.
Same article you were thinking of?