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Jared Lorenzen

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Jared Raymond Lorenzen (February 14, 1981 – July 3, 2019) was an American professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for four seasons with the New York Giants. He played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats, 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]

Jared Lorenzen
refer to caption
Lorenzen with the New York Giants in 2007
No. 22, 13
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born:(1981-02-14)February 14, 1981
Covington, Kentucky, U.S.
Died:July 3, 2019(2019-07-03) (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:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As an administrator:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
TD–INT:0–0
Passing yards:28
Passer rating:58.3
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Seeing little playing time in the NFL, Lorenzen spent his entire career as a backup, although he was part of the Giants team that won 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 life

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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

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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

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Season Games Passing Rushing Receiving
GS GP Cmp Att Pct Yds TD Int Rtg Att Yds TD Rec Yds TD
Kentucky Wildcats
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

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New York Giants

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Lorenzen at the Giants Super Bowl rally

Lorenzen was not selected in the 2004 NFL draft and signed as an 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Lorenzen returned to the River Monsters, by this point a member of the Continental Indoor Football League, on December 17, 2013.[33] In his first game of the season, he 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

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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

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Lorenzen died on July 3, 2019, at age 38,[42] from an acute infection, complicated by heart and kidney problems.[43]

References

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  1. ^ "Plus-sized QB Jared Lorenzen, ex-Giants backup dubbed 'The Hefty Lefty,' dead at age 38". NYDailyNews.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  2. ^ "Former NFL quarterback, Kentucky star Jared Lorenzen dead at 38". Today.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Reigning UIFL MVP Lorenzen named Commissioner". www.theuifl.com. Ultimate Indoor Football League. Archived from the original on November 19, 2011.
  4. ^ "Highlands' Smith 1st-team all-state". The Cincinnati Enquirer. March 9, 1999. Archived from the original on December 18, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "Finalist named for Mr. Football". Daily News. December 13, 1998. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  7. ^ Neil Schmidt (December 23, 1998). "Lorenzen is Mr. Football". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on December 18, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  8. ^ Greg Dewalt (July 29, 2000). "New Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen is... Large and in Charge". Times Daily. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  9. ^ Jack Thompson (June 11, 2000). "Qb Bonner Leaves Kentucky". www.chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  10. ^ Michael Conroy (February 21, 2004). "Lorenzen hopes to make it big in NFL". www.lubbockonline.com. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  11. ^ "Jared Lorenzen Stats". www.sports-reference.com. USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  12. ^ "Giants sign Kentucky QB Jared Lorenzen". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. April 27, 2004. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  13. ^ Branch, John (August 3, 2006). "Lorenzen Tries to Adapt to His Giants Family". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  14. ^ a b John Branch (August 27, 2006). "Lorenzen Sets Sights on Backup Role". New York Times. Archived from the original on July 5, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  15. ^ Tommy Tomlinson (August 21, 2014). "Ex-NFL QB Jared Lorenzen's lifelong battle with weight". ESPN. Archived from the original on July 4, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  16. ^ "Giants vs. Redskins - Game Recap - December 30, 2006 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  17. ^ "Giants vs. Eagles - Game Recap - January 7, 2007 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  18. ^ Ralph Vacchiano (September 16, 2007). "Giants' QB Jared Lorenzen waiting for chance to start". www.nydailynews.com. NYDailyNews.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  19. ^ a b "Jared Lorenzen - Game Logs - 2007". NFL. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  20. ^ a b John DeMarzo (February 5, 2014). "What hefty QB Jared Lorenzen does for a day job". New York Post. Archived from the original on July 5, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  21. ^ "Unknown". Archived from the original on June 28, 2008.
  22. ^ "Lorenzen signs with Colts". Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  23. ^ "Jared Lorenzen, QB, Free Agent". Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  24. ^ "Former NFL QB and Kentucky star Jared Lorenzen joins Horsemen; QB Justin Rascati also assigned to team". af2.com. af2. February 10, 2009. Archived from the original on February 17, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2009.
  25. ^ "Horsemen forced to fold". Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  26. ^ "Jared Lorenzen New QB Coach at Highlands". Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  27. ^ Rick Chandler (May 18, 2011). "Former Giants QB Jared Lorenzen still wingin' it, living large". www.nbcsports.com. NBC Sports. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  28. ^ "Jared Lorenzen Returning To Football". lex18.com. LEX18. February 24, 2011. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  29. ^ "Unknown". www.theuifl.com. Ultimate Indoor Football League. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015.
  30. ^ Sherman, Rodger (February 3, 2014). "Jared Lorenzen: Still playing football, still enormous, still an American hero". SBNation. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  31. ^ Sean Edmondson (March 22, 2013). "Owensboro Rage signs former UK QB Jared Lorenzen". www.14news.com. WorldNow and WFIE. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  32. ^ "CIFL Suspends Owensboro Rage Operations". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. April 19, 2013. Archived from the original on May 28, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  33. ^ "Super Bowl Champion Returns to River Monsters to "Finish What We Started"". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. December 18, 2013. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  34. ^ Paul Dehner Jr. (February 9, 2014). "Jared Lorenzen's CIFL opening performance goes viral". www.cincinnati.com. Gannett. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  35. ^ "Explosion knock off Northern Kentucky, knock out Lorenzen". www.goerie.com. Erie Times-News. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  36. ^ 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.
  37. ^ "Guess who started a t-shirt company. Jared Lorenzen, that's who". Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  38. ^ Sacks, Ethan, Now 500 pounds, former Giants QB Jared Lorenzen goes to battle against obesity Archived January 10, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, The Today Show, August 10, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  39. ^ "After weighing in at 500-plus pounds (JESUS CHRIST!!), Jared Lorenzen launches project to get healthy (Video)". Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  40. ^ "How Jared Lorenzen lost 100 pounds in a year". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  41. ^ 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
  42. ^ "Former Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen dies at 38". Archived from the original on July 3, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  43. ^ "Former UK QB Jared Lorenzen hospitalized". Archived from the original on July 3, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
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Preceded by Kentucky Mr. Football
1998 		Succeeded by
Travis Atwell
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