The physical journey of NFL players is not just limited to their careers in the league. There are many instances of players carrying forward the work ethics of discipline and commitment to physical fitness and health, even after retirement. NFL GOAT Tom Brady, who retired at 45, still continues to follow his strict diet and workout regularly to stay fit. Even his former teammate Rob Gronkowski continues to hit the gym while leaving people in awe over his post-retirement body. But a few athletes have left the NFL stunned with their insane post-retirement transformations.

But there is one recurring theme amongst all these former players who underwent massive weight loss journeys. And it is the fact that they usually played offensive linemen. And this position led them to push their bodies to the extreme to survive as players of this position in the league. Recently, the massive transformation of a 34-year-old ex-OT has once again sparked the debate about weight problems players of certain position face in the NFL.

Offensive linemen in the NFL have drastic post-retirement transformations

Remember Joe Thomas? The 10x Pro Bowler is considered one of the best offensive linemen to play in the league. During his 11 seasons with the Cleveland Browns, he weighed around 310 pounds. And now, he seems almost unrecognizable as he lost around 50 pounds while getting into shape. And recently, Russell Okung’s jaw-dropping weight loss journey has left fans in a state of awe. 

A former NFL player claims he lost over 100 pounds by fasting on water alone for 40 days. Gotta be bullshit right??
by u/careerBurnout in moreplatesmoredates

The ex-Seattle Seahawks player Russell Okung recently shared his story of losing over 100 pounds after retiring from the league. In his detailed description of his weight loss journey, he talked about how he went on a 40-day fast while only indulging in a water diet. And this is the reason why he lost so much weight while leading a healthier lifestyle than his pro football days. Not only this, but Okung also credited his weight loss with bringing more clarity and mental peace into his life. 

Read more: “Whole Nother Person”: NFL World Left In Disbelief After Former 310-Pound Player Shares Transformation Photo Changing His Entire Body Type After Retirement

Okung’s transformation has sparked a debate amongst fans about the massive weight offensive linemen have to put on in order to play in their position, while others shared their views on his own transformation journey.

Fans share their varying perspective 

Fans shared their opinions on the transformation journey that these NFL players undergo after retirement.

Some fans talked about why offensive linemen have to push their bodies to the extreme during their careers in the NFL

“Yeah you can pretty much Google NFL lineman losing weight and you’ll get a bunch of transformations like this. These guys carry like 100 extra pounds just so they don’t get pushed around the trenches. 

“These guys are super fat too, they usually weigh like 100 pounds more than they should because their jobs is to not get pushed back”

While this fan criticized Okung for not revealing more details of his water fast, “This could have been a medically supervised fast. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had doctors around him constantly checking his biomarkers and his “just water” almost certainly contained a carefully determined electrolyte mix. Seems extremely irresponsible of him to not provide more context around exactly how he did this”

This fan said, “Long water fasts are pretty well documented at this stage. It’s not a miracle and it’s definitely doable.”

Another fan commented, “Dude was basically carrying around a s**t ton of calories. What’s hard to believe?”

Do you think it’s important for NFL players who put their bodies on the line while playing to take care of their physical fitness after retirement? Let us know in the comments below. 

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