Jared Lorenzen
Jared Raymond Lorenzen (February 14, 1981 – July 3, 2019) was an American football quarterback and administrator who played in the National Football League (NFL) for four seasons with the New York Giants. He played college football at the University of Kentucky, where he set the school records for passing yards and passing touchdowns, and was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2004. At 285 lb (129 kg), Lorenzen was the heaviest quarterback to play in the NFL. He was nicknamed "the Pillsbury Throwboy" and "Hefty Lefty" because of his weight and being left-handed.[1][2]
Lorenzen with the Giants in 2007 | |||||||
| No. 22, 13 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Quarterback | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | February 14, 1981 Covington, Kentucky, U.S. | ||||||
| Died: | July 3, 2019 (aged 38) Fort Thomas, Kentucky, U.S. | ||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 285 lb (129 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Highlands (Fort Thomas, Kentucky) | ||||||
| College: | Kentucky (1999–2003) | ||||||
| Undrafted: | 2004 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
| As a player: | |||||||
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| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||
| As an administrator: | |||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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| Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||||
Seeing little playing time in NFL, Lorenzen spent his entire career as a backup, although he was part of the Giants' Super Bowl-winning team in Super Bowl XLII. Following a preseason stint with the Indianapolis Colts, Lorenzen played indoor football for the AF2, Ultimate Indoor Football League (UIFL), and Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) from 2009 to 2014. He also served as the commissioner of the UIFL in 2012.[3]
Lorenzen struggled with his weight throughout most of his life, which was exacerbated following a leg injury that ended his playing career. Amid various health complications deriving from his weight, he died in 2019 at the age of 38.
Early years edit
Lorenzen attended Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and was a letterman in football, basketball, and baseball. In basketball, he was a three-year letterman and helped lead his team to Kentucky Sweet 16 appearances.[4] As a junior, he passed for a Northern Kentucky-record 2,759 yards and 37 touchdowns in 13 games.[5] As a senior in 1998, he completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,393 yards, 45 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also rushed for 904 yards (8.4 average per carry) and 15 TDs in leading Highlands to a 15–0 season[6] and No.19 national ranking as a senior, earning him the Mr. Football Award.[7] Five games into his senior season, Lorenzen committed to the University of Kentucky.[5]
College career edit
When Lorenzen arrived at the University of Kentucky, he redshirted as a true freshman. As a redshirt freshman, he was named the team's starting quarterback by Wildcats head coach Hal Mumme ahead of returning starter Dusty Bonner.[8] The move caused Bonner to transfer.[9] Lorenzen's career at Kentucky was marked by two head coaching changes; Mumme departed as an investigation into NCAA rules violations brought down his staff and resulted in the program being placed on probation with scholarship limitations. After Lorenzen helped lead the team to a 7–5 record in 2002, head coach Guy Morriss left to become the head coach at Baylor University and was replaced by Rich Brooks, who designed plays in which Lorenzen lined up as a receiver while Shane Boyd played quarterback. Despite all the turmoil, Lorenzen set school records in total offense, passing yards, and passing touchdowns, eclipsing many marks set by 1999 NFL No. 1 overall draft pick Tim Couch.[10]
College statistics edit
| Season | Games | Passing | Rushing | Receiving | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS | GP | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | TD | Rec | Yds | TD | |
| 2000 | 11 | 11 | 321 | 559 | 57.4 | 3,687 | 19 | 21 | 116.5 | 76 | 140 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 6 | 8 | 167 | 292 | 57.2 | 2,179 | 19 | 7 | 136.6 | 54 | 119 | 2 | 1 | -13 | 0 |
| 2002 | 12 | 12 | 183 | 327 | 56.0 | 2,267 | 24 | 5 | 135.4 | 60 | -51 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | 12 | 12 | 191 | 336 | 56.8 | 2,221 | 16 | 8 | 123.3 | 89 | 75 | 5 | 1 | -11 | 0 |
| Totals[11] | 41 | 43 | 862 | 1,514 | 56.9 | 10,354 | 78 | 41 | 126.0 | 279 | 283 | 12 | 2 | -24 | 0 |
Professional career edit
New York Giants edit
Lorenzen was not selected in the 2004 NFL Draft and signed as undrafted free agent with the New York Giants.[12] He declined an offer by coach Tom Coughlin to play in NFL Europe in 2005.[13] Lorenzen was the third string quarterback for 2004 and 2005 for the Giants, behind starter Eli Manning and backup Tim Hasselbeck.[14]
In the 2006 preseason, Lorenzen led his team to victory by engineering a game-winning drive against the Baltimore Ravens.[14] Following that performance and an impressive training camp he was officially named the Giants' backup quarterback three weeks later.[15]
Lorenzen made his first appearance on the field in a Giants uniform on December 30, 2006. During this game, he was used for one play, a quarterback sneak to make a first down on a third-and-one.[16]
Lorenzen made his second appearance on Sunday, January 7, 2007, in the Giants' wild card loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. On the Giants' opening drive, he lined up at quarterback on a third-and-one and got the first down, "shifting the pile" in the process, on the way to a Giants touchdown.[17]
Lorenzen's first significant regular season appearance occurred on September 9, 2007, when he took over for the injured Manning in the fourth quarter of the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.[18] Lorenzen made both his first regular season pass and rush, but failed to earn a first down. He played again the following week, against the Green Bay Packers, completing three passes in five attempts for 21 yards.[19] This proved to be his final appearance in the NFL, as Manning's injury did not cost him any further playing time and Lorenzen did not see further action in the 2007 season.[19][20] He continued to serve as Manning's backup for the remainder of the season, which concluded with the Giants winning Super Bowl XLII against the then-undefeated New England Patriots and Lorenzen earning a championship ring.
After the team's Super Bowl win, Lorenzen was released by the Giants on June 23, 2008.[21]
Indianapolis Colts edit
On July 24, 2008, Lorenzen was signed by the Indianapolis Colts.[22] He played during the preseason,[20] but was waived during the final cuts for the 53-man roster.[23]
Kentucky Horsemen edit
On February 10, 2009, Lorenzen was assigned to the Kentucky Horsemen of the AF2 league.[24] The team went bankrupt and was dissolved in October 2009.[25]
Coaching edit
After the Horsemen folded, Lorenzen retired as a player. On March 23, 2010, he was hired as the quarterbacks coach at his alma mater, Highlands High School, in Fort Thomas, Kentucky.[26]
Northern Kentucky River Monsters edit
In 2011, Lorenzen returned to professional football, this time working as the general manager of the Northern Kentucky River Monsters of the Ultimate Indoor Football League.[27] Still wanting to compete on the field, Lorenzen resigned as GM to become the team's starting quarterback.[28] Lorenzen had a highly successful season, throwing for 81 touchdowns and winning the league's MVP award.[29][30]
After gaining some positive press for his return to football, Lorenzen was named commissioner of the league after the 2011 season.[3]
Owensboro Rage edit
Still wanting to play, Lorenzen quit the UIFL's top job and signed with the Owensboro Rage of the Continental Indoor Football League partway through the 2013 season.[31] The Rage folded two weeks prior to the end of the season due to lack of funds.[32]
Return to the River Monsters edit
Lorenzen returned to the River Monsters, by this point a member of the Continental Indoor Football League, on December 17, 2013.[33] In Lorenzen's first game of the season, Lorenzen showed that he still had plenty of skill, side-stepping defenders. Lorenzen's play was filmed and the videos ended up all over the internet, overshadowing the River Monsters' 36–20 victory over the Bluegrass Warhorses.[34] The following week, however, Lorenzen broke his tibia in a 42–30 loss to the Erie Explosion, ending his pro playing career.[35][36]
Post-football career edit
Lorenzen was a guest host of the Lexington-based radio show Kentucky Sports Radio, mainly during UK football season. In 2015, he started a T-shirt company, ThrowboyTees.[37]
On July 28, 2017, Lorenzen launched "The Jared Lorenzen Project", where he chronicled online his attempts at fighting his obesity, weighing over 500 pounds (230 kg).[38][39] By April 2018, Lorenzen had lost over 100 pounds (45 kg).[40] His story was documented by ESPN in July 2018.[41]
Death edit
Lorenzen died on July 3, 2019, at age 38,[42] from an acute infection, complicated by heart and kidney problems.[43]
References edit
- ^ "Plus-sized QB Jared Lorenzen, ex-Giants backup dubbed 'The Hefty Lefty,' dead at age 38". NYDailyNews.com. from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
- ^ "Former NFL quarterback, Kentucky star Jared Lorenzen dead at 38". Today.com. from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
- ^ a b . www.theuifl.com. Ultimate Indoor Football League. Archived from the original on November 19, 2011.
- ^ "Highlands' Smith 1st-team all-state". The Cincinnati Enquirer. March 9, 1999. Archived from the original on December 18, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ^ a b Neil Schmidt (October 1, 1998). "Highlands QB commits to UK". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on December 18, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ^ "Finalist named for Mr. Football". Daily News. December 13, 1998. from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ^ Neil Schmidt (December 23, 1998). "Lorenzen is Mr. Football". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on December 18, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ^ Greg Dewalt (July 29, 2000). "New Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen is... Large and in Charge". Times Daily. from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ^ Jack Thompson (June 11, 2000). "Qb Bonner Leaves Kentucky". www.chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ^ Michael Conroy (February 21, 2004). "Lorenzen hopes to make it big in NFL". www.lubbockonline.com. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ^ . www.sports-reference.com. USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ^ "Giants sign Kentucky QB Jared Lorenzen". www.espn.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. April 27, 2004. from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ^ Branch, John (August 3, 2006). "Lorenzen Tries to Adapt to His Giants Family". The New York Times. from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
- ^ a b John Branch (August 27, 2006). "Lorenzen Sets Sights on Backup Role". New York Times. from the original on July 5, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
- ^ Tommy Tomlinson (August 21, 2014). "Ex-NFL QB Jared Lorenzen's lifelong battle with weight". ESPN. from the original on July 4, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
- ^ "Giants vs. Redskins - Game Recap - December 30, 2006 - ESPN". ESPN.com. from the original on April 27, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
- ^ "Giants vs. Eagles - Game Recap - January 7, 2007 - ESPN". ESPN.com. from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
- ^ Ralph Vacchiano (September 16, 2007). "Giants' QB Jared Lorenzen waiting for chance to start". www.nydailynews.com. NYDailyNews.com. from the original on December 21, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ^ a b "Jared Lorenzen - Game Logs - 2007". NFL. from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
- ^ a b John DeMarzo (February 5, 2014). "What hefty QB Jared Lorenzen does for a day job". New York Post. from the original on July 5, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
- ^ . Archived from the original on June 28, 2008.
- ^ "Lorenzen signs with Colts". from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
- ^ . Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
- ^ . af2.com. af2. February 10, 2009. Archived from the original on February 17, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2009.
- ^ "Horsemen forced to fold". from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
- ^ . Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ^ Rick Chandler (May 18, 2011). . www.nbcsports.com. NBC Sports. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ^ . lex18.com. LEX18. February 24, 2011. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
- ^ . www.theuifl.com. Ultimate Indoor Football League. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015.
- ^ Sherman, Rodger (February 3, 2014). "Jared Lorenzen: Still playing football, still enormous, still an American hero". SBNation. from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- ^ Sean Edmondson (March 22, 2013). "Owensboro Rage signs former UK QB Jared Lorenzen". www.14news.com. WorldNow and WFIE. from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ^ "CIFL Suspends Owensboro Rage Operations". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. April 19, 2013. from the original on May 28, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
- ^ "Super Bowl Champion Returns to River Monsters to "Finish What We Started"". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. December 18, 2013. from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ^ Paul Dehner Jr. (February 9, 2014). "Jared Lorenzen's CIFL opening performance goes viral". www.cincinnati.com. Gannett. from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
- ^ . www.goerie.com. Erie Times-News. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
- ^ Jonathan Lintner (February 10, 2014). "Jared Lorenzen breaks leg in Sunday's Northern Kentucky River Monsters game". www.courier-journal.com. Gannett. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
- ^ . Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
- ^ Sacks, Ethan, Now 500 pounds, former Giants QB Jared Lorenzen goes to battle against obesity January 10, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, The Today Show, August 10, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
- ^ "After weighing in at 500-plus pounds (JESUS CHRIST!!), Jared Lorenzen launches project to get healthy (Video)". from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
- ^ "How Jared Lorenzen lost 100 pounds in a year". USA Today. from the original on May 2, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
- ^ ESPN (July 19, 2018), Jared Lorenzen, a once in a generation athlete, now faces a battle for his life, E:60, ESPN, archived from the original on December 21, 2021, retrieved July 24, 2018
- ^ . Archived from the original on July 3, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ^ . Archived from the original on July 3, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2019.