How 19 NFL players lost weight after retiring and became unrecognizable, including one who used a 'water fast'

Cork GainesAug 13, 2023, 20:40 IST

Vince Wilfork transformed his body post-retirement.Getty Images

Russell Okung revealed that he lost over 100 pounds on a "water fast" after retiring from the NFL.
Many former NFL players, especially linemen, lost weight with simple, less drastic diet changes.

Former NFL player Russell Okung weighed 310 pounds during his football career and recently lost over 100 pounds using a 40-day "water fast."

Football players, and offensive linemen especially, are often pushed consume massive amounts of calories to maintain their playing sizes, developing dangerous habits and disordered eating in the process. When retirement comes, the processs of losing the weight can be just as complicated as gaining it.

But while Okung's methods of achieving a healthier weight were drastic and controversial — experts told USA Today that people shouldn't attempt to fast for that duration without medical supervision — other former NFL players have lost weight in retirement by making simple changes to their diets, like cutting out carbs and swapping red wine in for beer.

Below, a look at 19 players who physically transformed after their careers ended.

Okung last played in 2020. He recently shared a photo of his body transformation with the caption, "Reborn."

10-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas is regarded as one of the best offensive linemen ever.

Joe ThomasGetty Images

He is now an analyst for the NFL Network. It took less than nine months after his final NFL game to lose 50 pounds.

Joe ThomasNFL Network

Pro Bowl offensive lineman Marshall Yanda played his final NFL game at 312 pounds and retired after the 2019 season after 13 years in the league, all with the Baltimore Ravens.

Ron Schwane/AP

Pro Bowl offensive lineman Marshall Yanda played his final NFL game at 312 pounds and retired after the 2019 season after 13 years in the league, all with the Baltimore Ravens.

Five months after retiring, Yanda was down to 248 pounds by working out and eating less.

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Mike Pouncey, who played 9 seasons as a center for the Dolphins and Chargers, lost 70 pounds after retiring.

His brother, former Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, was never the biggest lineman, but was still listed at over 300 pounds during his playing days.

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Just two years after retiring, he now looks more like a linebacker or safety.

David Pollack weighed as much as 297 pounds as a defensive lineman in college, and last played in the NFL in 2006 as a 260-pound linebacker for the Bengals.

David PollackPat Sullivan/AP

After a career-ending injury, Pollack is now a 220-pound college football commentator for ESPN.

ESPN

David Carter was a 300-pound defensive lineman for the Cardinals and Cowboys.

David CarterChristian Petersen/Getty Images

Carter lost 40 pounds in 6 weeks after going vegan and became a model.

Brad Culpepper (No. 77) was a 275-pound defensive tackle for three different teams and retired after the 2000 season.

Brad CulpepperReuters

Here is Brad Culpepper with his wife on the show "Survivor."

CBS/Survivor

Will Montgomery was a 305-pound offensive lineman with a size 42 waist who played for 5 teams in 9 seasons.

Will MontgomeryGetty Images

Montgomery dropped his weight to 225 pounds — his lowest weight since high school — and a 34-inch waist.

Mike Golic played for 3 teams in 8 seasons, most famously as a defensive tackle for the dominant Eagles' defense of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

Golic is now a podcast/radio host and college football commentator.

Alan Faneca was a 320-pound offensive lineman for the Steelers, Jets, and Cardinals who last played in 2010.

Alan FanecaGetty Images

He lost 105 pounds after he stopped playing, and he completed his first marathon in 2014.

Nick Hardwick was a 300-pound center for the San Diego Chargers who retired after the 2014 season.

Nick HardwickBrian Bahr/Getty Images

After retiring, he lost 85 pounds in four months by reducing his calories, doing intermittent fasting, and practicing yoga.

Matt Birk was a 310-pound center for the Vikings and Ravens who retired in 2012.

Matt BirkRob Carr/Getty Images

After retiring, he lost 75 pounds after joining Body By ViSalus, a company dedicated to ending obesity, and became a model.

Jeff Saturday was a 295-pound center who spent most of his career with the Colts and retired after the 2012 season.

Jeff SaturdayGetty Images

Saturday, left, now weighs 238 pounds and runs a program to help former players learn about healthy lifestyles.

Darron Cummings/AP

Longtime Patriots star Vince Wilfork was listed at 325 pounds in his playing days, but when he last suited up for the Texans in 2016, he was probably much higher than that.

Bob Levey/Getty Images

Longtime Patriots star Vince Wilfork was listed at 325 pounds in his playing days, but when he last suited up for the Texans in 2016, he was probably much higher than that.

But despite being a well-known lover of food and a BBQ ambassador, he's changed his habits post-retirement.

Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Jordan Gross was a 3-time Pro Bowler as a 300-pound offensive lineman with the Panthers.

Jordan GrossGetty Images

Seven months after retiring following the 2013 season, Gross looked a lot closer to 200 pounds when he visited training camp.

Jordan GrossChuck Burton/AP

Antone Davis (No. 78) was a 330-pound offensive lineman who grew to 475 pounds after he stopped playing in 1997.

Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Davis was a runner-up on NBC's "The Biggest Loser," where he lost more than 200 pounds.

NBC via SportsGeekery

Nate Newton (No. 61), a 320-pound offensive lineman, played most of his 14-year career with the Cowboys before retiring in 1999 and growing to nearly 400 pounds in retirement.

Nate NewtonGetty Images

Nate Newton (No. 61), a 320-pound offensive lineman, played most of his 14-year career with the Cowboys before retiring in 1999 and growing to nearly 400 pounds in retirement.

He was able to get down to 220 pounds in 2010 after surgery to remove 75% of his stomach.

Tom Nalen was a 290-pound center for the Denver Broncos who last played in 2007.

Tom Nalen.Tim Tadder/Corbis via Getty Images

A thinner Nalen was inducted into the Broncos' Ring of Fame and credited continuing to work out after his retirement for the weight loss.

Tom NalenJack Dempsey/AP

Tony Bergstrom, an offensive lineman who has played for 5 teams in 10 years, hasn't retired yet, but already has a plan for when he does.

Tony BergstromChristian Petersen/Getty Images

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How 19 NFL players lost weight after retiring and became unrecognizable, including one who used a 'water fast'

Okung last played in 2020. He recently shared a photo of his body transformation with the caption, "Reborn."

10-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas is regarded as one of the best offensive linemen ever.

He is now an analyst for the NFL Network. It took less than nine months after his final NFL game to lose 50 pounds.

Pro Bowl offensive lineman Marshall Yanda played his final NFL game at 312 pounds and retired after the 2019 season after 13 years in the league, all with the Baltimore Ravens.

Five months after retiring, Yanda was down to 248 pounds by working out and eating less.

Mike Pouncey, who played 9 seasons as a center for the Dolphins and Chargers, lost 70 pounds after retiring.

His brother, former Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, was never the biggest lineman, but was still listed at over 300 pounds during his playing days.

Just two years after retiring, he now looks more like a linebacker or safety.

David Pollack weighed as much as 297 pounds as a defensive lineman in college, and last played in the NFL in 2006 as a 260-pound linebacker for the Bengals.

After a career-ending injury, Pollack is now a 220-pound college football commentator for ESPN.

David Carter was a 300-pound defensive lineman for the Cardinals and Cowboys.

Carter lost 40 pounds in 6 weeks after going vegan and became a model.

Brad Culpepper (No. 77) was a 275-pound defensive tackle for three different teams and retired after the 2000 season.

Here is Brad Culpepper with his wife on the show "Survivor."

Will Montgomery was a 305-pound offensive lineman with a size 42 waist who played for 5 teams in 9 seasons.

Montgomery dropped his weight to 225 pounds — his lowest weight since high school — and a 34-inch waist.

Mike Golic played for 3 teams in 8 seasons, most famously as a defensive tackle for the dominant Eagles' defense of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Golic is now a podcast/radio host and college football commentator.

Alan Faneca was a 320-pound offensive lineman for the Steelers, Jets, and Cardinals who last played in 2010.

He lost 105 pounds after he stopped playing, and he completed his first marathon in 2014.

Nick Hardwick was a 300-pound center for the San Diego Chargers who retired after the 2014 season.

After retiring, he lost 85 pounds in four months by reducing his calories, doing intermittent fasting, and practicing yoga.

Matt Birk was a 310-pound center for the Vikings and Ravens who retired in 2012.

After retiring, he lost 75 pounds after joining Body By ViSalus, a company dedicated to ending obesity, and became a model.

Jeff Saturday was a 295-pound center who spent most of his career with the Colts and retired after the 2012 season.

Saturday, left, now weighs 238 pounds and runs a program to help former players learn about healthy lifestyles.

Longtime Patriots star Vince Wilfork was listed at 325 pounds in his playing days, but when he last suited up for the Texans in 2016, he was probably much higher than that.

But despite being a well-known lover of food and a BBQ ambassador, he's changed his habits post-retirement.

Jordan Gross was a 3-time Pro Bowler as a 300-pound offensive lineman with the Panthers.

Seven months after retiring following the 2013 season, Gross looked a lot closer to 200 pounds when he visited training camp.

Antone Davis (No. 78) was a 330-pound offensive lineman who grew to 475 pounds after he stopped playing in 1997.

Davis was a runner-up on NBC's "The Biggest Loser," where he lost more than 200 pounds.

Nate Newton (No. 61), a 320-pound offensive lineman, played most of his 14-year career with the Cowboys before retiring in 1999 and growing to nearly 400 pounds in retirement.

He was able to get down to 220 pounds in 2010 after surgery to remove 75% of his stomach.

Tom Nalen was a 290-pound center for the Denver Broncos who last played in 2007.

A thinner Nalen was inducted into the Broncos' Ring of Fame and credited continuing to work out after his retirement for the weight loss.

Tony Bergstrom, an offensive lineman who has played for 5 teams in 10 years, hasn't retired yet, but already has a plan for when he does.