New York Giants: Jared Lorenzen bravely fighting for his life

Former New York Giants quarterback Jared Lorenzen is the midst of a fight for his life. He is doing so with admirable bravery and work ethic.

Remember this guy? Jared Lorenzen was a big star for Kentucky, throwing for over 10,000 yards and 78 touchdowns. The passing yards were a school record. The New York Giants signed him as an undrafted free agent and he won a Super Bowl with the team.

He spent time with the Colts before playing with various indoor football teams. The video is out there of his size and many spent time poking fun at the “Hefty Lefty”. It was easy for people to take shots at this guy.

Unfortunately there is nothing to laugh at with Lorenzen’s situation. Jeremy Schaap of ESPN did a brilliant feature on Lorenzen for the E:60 series. He suffers from a problem that is all too prevalent in the United States. Lorenzen has to deal with obesity.

And it nearly took his life.

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Lorenzen’s weight peaked at well over 500 pounds. When he went to the doctor he learned he had Congestive Heart Failure and Pre-Diabetes.

According to Schaap, the doctor informed Jared that he was literally killing himself.

Imagine being told that by your doctor? You have a potentially fatal disease and that a major part of it is your doing. How would you feel?

Some might pack it in and accept their pending fate. They might think it’s too late. Not this former Giant. No sir.

What did Lorenzen do? He got his mind right, that’s what he did. He decided then and there that it was time to make a change and get healthy.

And that is exactly what he did.

He created the Jared Lorenzen Project. The function is to help people fight obesity. The first example patient? Jared Lorenzen. He dropped soda from his diet. He stopped eating fast food. He worked out with a trainer.

So far Lorenzen dropped 100 pounds in one year. That is nothing short of inspirational. This guy was told his back was against the wall and he came out swinging. That’s what it’s all about, folks.

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Congestive Heart Failure is a rough condition to live with, believe me. Taking short walks and being out of breath is nothing to scoff at. It can be lived with but it takes medication and a lot of work. It also takes a great deal of strength.

It doesn’t matter what got Jared Lorenzen into this position. What matters is what he is doing about it. Lorenzen is doing the admirable thing. He should be commented, and we should all wish him the best in his journey to good health.

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