Offensive lineman Lincoln Kennedy retired from the Raiders after the 2003 season, and he thought he was done playing football. But he continued eating like a man who was burning thousands of calories a day, and that meant his weight (which was in the 350 range during his football career) got up to 445. And that's when his wife gave him an ultimatum:
My new wife pointed out that we're not having a family until you start taking better care of yourself. It was a wake-up call that I was playing with danger."
Yeah, nothing will motivate a man like being told he can't "start a family" with his wife. So, in an effort to get back into shape, Kennedy started playing Arena Football.
He's playing for the Tampa Bay Storm, who open the playoffs against the Columbus Destroyers on Saturday, and he says he has gotten into better shape and developed respect for the heart of the guys who play in the Arena League for peanuts compared to what NFL players make. Kennedy says of playing Arena Football, "I'm just having fun."
ADVERTISEMENT
_thumbnail.jpg "NASCAR Cowboy Hats")
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Big Linc was cool. I thought he was good when he was on NFL Network.He needs to lay off the bacon and cheeseburgers before it takes him away from here.
Posted at 11:29AM on Jun 28th 2007 by damien
2. Lincoln Kennedy was a great player for the Washington Huskies. I woud be willing to bet that the Seattle Seahawks would LOVE to have him on the team. Mr. Kennedy should pursue that possibility. We Seahawk fans would love it.
Posted at 11:43AM on Jun 28th 2007 by Tom Vicari
3. Steroids kill.
Lincoln has many Balco-Raider steroid friends:
Barrett Robbins
Bill Romanowski
Chris Cooper
Dana Stubblefield
Dana beats up his wife when she lectures him. She got a restraining order too.
Posted at 12:15PM on Jun 28th 2007 by George Mitchell
4. So let me get this straight, If a player has a weight problem that automaticaly means he is juicing?I also found it interesting that you list only players that have played for this team as if ssteroids were simply a 'Raider' problem? But hey, Dont take my word for it just ask Shawn Merriman and HIS 'friends'
Posted at 7:03PM on Jun 28th 2007 by Silversteve
5. P. S. not to single out merriman who is a great player steroids or not, but the point was there is a long long list of players that have juiced at one time or another and the list is only those who we 'know' about.
Posted at 7:23PM on Jun 28th 2007 by Silversteve
6. The whole idea of certain drugs being legal and others not is just stupid anyway, I personaly dont give a dam what players do to try to get better. The NFL loves to pretend like they are saving the world
Posted at 7:39PM on Jun 28th 2007 by Bruce
7. Linclon was an important part of a winning program when he was with the Raiders and, until now, I never heard anyone accuse him of juicing. I'm glad he's having fun in the Arena League; I'm happy for him that he's getting his health back and his weight down. He's a good man and I wish him well.
Posted at 1:46AM on Jun 29th 2007 by SandlotJones
8. MDS...
You insinuate that being told he can't "start a family"...........means no sex because he's fat?
Wouldn't that be like me insinuating you've never had a desire to "BE" with a woman...........because of the gay look you have in your FanHouse picture?
Posted at 10:49AM on Jun 29th 2007 by Real Men Wear Black
9. I just wanted to see if the same Lincoln Kennedy that played for the Raiders is playing in the AFL, and I read this BS about steroids. First of all, people on steroids tend to get muscular not fatter, even when they come off, they tend to not generate a bad weight problem. Most offensive lineman come into training having gained an edtra 50 or so pounds. He has been off for awhile, and it makes sense that he would gain a hundred pounds if he hasn't stayed active. Dropping weight for offensive lineman is natural to get into playing shape.
I don't care too much about Lincoln Kennedy, but I can't stand people that like to bash somebody for the sake of bashing somebody. Especially somebody that appears to know nothing about the football or the human body for that matter.
Posted at 1:49PM on Jun 30th 2007 by Pharaoh
10. 445.THAT'S TOO MUCH WEIGHT FOR ANYONE.I THINK HIS NFL FRIENDS SHOULD TELL HIM ABOUT THE "NUTURE SYSTEM". I KNOW HE SEEN THE COMMERCIAL.DID U SEE THE WEIGHT ALL THOSE ATHLETES AND THE SHULAR'S LOST.I WAS LIKE "DAM" WHEN I SAW THE BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES. AS FOR HIS NEW WIFE. I WONDER IF SHE WAS WORRIED HIS WEIGHT WHEN SHE SAID " I DUE"OR DID SHE JUST SEE THE DOLLARS,BUT HAT'S OFF TO HER FOR SAYING SOMETHING NOW.GET IN SHAPE BRO. WE DONT WANT TO LOOSE YOU. DCLEON
Posted at 4:11PM on Jul 11th 2007 by DC LEON