When the Los Angeles Rams announced Tuesday that left tackle Andrew Whitworth would return in 2019 for his 14th NFL season, it was a remarkable testament to the four-time Pro Bowler’s durability in one of the most violent sports on earth.
Yet, the fact the 37-year-old Whitworth will be back for another year with the NFC champions shouldn’t be considered a surprise, especially considering his track record (he’s missed only nine of 209 possible regular-season games due to injury) and his commitment to personal health.
Although Whitworth is a big man — he’s listed at 6-foot-7 and 330 pounds — his frame is noticeably trimmer than most linemen, with very little sloppiness around the waist and midsection. This, Whitworth says, is by design.
“When I got in the league, a lot of your big, tremendous tackles were, what I could consider, a little too heavy and a little overweight,” Whitworth told Yahoo Sports during Super Bowl week. “So I worked really hard at learning the right way [to take care of myself]. Some of the things they did to maintain was good, but were they too heavy? Were their body fat percentages too high?”
The answers to those questions, Whitworth thought, were yes. So as he began approaching his 30s, he focused on flexibility — something New England Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady also vouches for — and do more cardio and a little less weight lifting. In short, he decided he’d work on his lean muscle mass and only carry the weight he’s needed to, and several years later, he’s happy with that decision.
“I think it’s something that’s really played in my favor and really helped me sustain,” Whitworth said.
Whitworth’s best tip for any middle-aged big man who wants to drop weight or stay strong and limber like him: Get out and move, no matter what it is. Go do stuff. Rack up steps and live your life.
“You obviously have to activate your muscles and train, but you know what, [the key] is staying active,” Whitworth said. “A lot of the training I’ve done, I hike, I backpack, I do it in a lot of ways where maybe I don’t necessarily have to beat my joints up. I’ll just throw a weighted backpack on and go walk for a couple hours and listen to some music. There’s some different ways you can really teach yourself to just stay active.”
During the season, Whitworth might work at the Rams’ training facility then come home and play with his kids, for instance. During the offseason, he’ll work out —he puts himself through a grueling cross-training regimen — golf, play with his kids and then get a two- or three- hour walk in, all in the name of keeping his body on the move.
“I believe as soon as my feet are out of the bed, they don’t get back in it until I pass out,” Whitworth said with a laugh. “That’s how I love to live.”
HERE’S HOW OTHER NFL STARS STAY IN SHAPE
Redskins’ Alex Smith is big on fasting, bulletproof coffee
Here are Frank Gore’s five tips for a long career in the NFL
Be the first to comment