Pro Football Hall of Famer “Wanted to Be” Like Bodybuilding Beast Lou Ferrigno Before He Won 3 Super Bowl Titles

Lou Ferrigno is an iconic name in the world of bodybuilding. A name that is known not only in his sport but also across others. As a testament to this fact, 3-time super bowl winner Shannon Sharpe posted on Twitter recently that he wanted to be like Ferrigno.

Sharpe’s post, retweeted on November 5, 2022, was on the occasion of the 45-year anniversary of The Incredible Hulk. The big green monster from Marvel Comics made his live-action debut with the TV series in 1977. Through his tweet, the former footballer showed his appreciation for the series as well as the actor.

Lou Ferrigno as the Incredible Hulk

Lou Ferrigno was more than just a bodybuilder. The IFBB Mr. America and consecutive IFBB Mr. Universe winner ventured into the entertainment industry. He played the titular role in The Incredible Hulk television series. Additionally, he also appeared in the famous documentary, Pumping Iron.

In the post, Sharpe wrote, “My fav superhero, wanted to be him so bad.” Sharpe currently plies his trade as a sports analyst. However, he is renowned for being a former tight end for the Denver Broncos and also Baltimore Ravens.

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The original post was shared by @RexChapman which states, “45 years ago today ‘The Incredible Hulk,’ starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno premiered as a TV movie on CBS (1977).”

Evolution of the Hulk on the big screen

While Lou Ferrigno’s series was a commercial success, its unique aspect remains the episodes’ visual treatment. Recreating a gamma-induced monster was no easy feat back in the ’70s. Lou Ferrigno surely did a great job bringing the character to life.

Nevertheless, The Hulk has continued to grow stronger in the ensuing decades, both in the character’s narrative and aesthetics. While the impression of Mark Ruffalo’s version of the character for the Marvel Cinematic Universe was highly appreciated, Ferrigno’s portrayal has a cult following. Without the help of special effects, Ferrigno’s on-screen efforts truly came to life in the 5 seasons-long series.

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Bruce Banner is currently brought to life with the help of CGI instead of green paint. Reflecting on the differences between the two, Ferrigno once stated that the new Hulk has lost one essential element. “Though I appreciate the amazing visual work these [visual effects] artists are producing, it’s missing the raw human performance qualities that I believe only an actor can play,” he said.

What are your thoughts? Which HULK do you prefer? Ferrigno’s or the current CGI version?