We have sad news today, as former NFL quarterback Jared Lorenzen has tragically passed away at the age of 38. We heard late last week that Lorenzen was battling major health issues, and he unfortunately succumbed to them. The cause of death wasn’t immediately clear, although his family had issued a statement last week saying he was battling kidney and heart problems.
Lorenzen’s family issued a statement through Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio (Twitter link). “It is with heavy hearts that the family of Jared Lorenzen, would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation for all of your support and prayers over the past 6 days,” the statement read. “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Jared today, July 3, 2019. Again, we appreciate all of the warm wishes and prayers, but as a family, we would request your respect and privacy. We will offer arrangement information in the coming days. Please keep Jared’s family and especially his children, in your thoughts and prayers.”
Lorenzen starred at Kentucky in the early 2000’s, and then signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent back in 2004. He defied the odds by making the team, and would go on to serve as Eli Manning’s primary backup for a few seasons. Manning was never seriously injured so Lorenzen didn’t see the field too much, but he did win Super Bowl XLII with the team.
Shortly after, the Giants posted a statement to Twitter from Manning. “Jared was a great teammate and friend. We competed against each other in college and came to the Giants together. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I will always remember his competitive spirit and his good nature. Jared has left us all way too soon,” Manning said.
Lorenzen became a fan favorite in New York, and the fanbase affectionately gave him the nickname ‘Hefty Lefty.’ After being cut by the Giants he had a brief stint with the Lions, and then spent the next handful of years playing in various indoor football leagues. Lorenzen had been open about his struggles with his weight, admitting in retirement that he weighed as much as 500 pounds at one time.
He had made positive strides in dropping some of the weight, and his journey was chronicled in an ESPN E:60 feature last July. All of us here at PFR send our thoughts and condolences to the Lorenzen family.
RIP Jared
RIP, Jared! Always fun to watch.
That guy’s idea of a healthy diet consisted of a double bacon hamburger with lettuce and tomatoes as the ‘salad portion’.
But let’s make sure to turn into ESPN showing people shoveling hundreds of hotdogs down their throats for ‘sport’ this 4th.
he actually made a lot of dietary and lifestyle changes and lost over 100 lbs. he documented it all on youtube. at least he tried to change, albeit too late.
Just like Big Pun
In one song he said “ I just lost 100 lbs I’m tryin to live!” Like two weeks later he died
Of course he made it public that he’s losing weight. Why not do it for yourself when you can have an audience?
you’re a total douche. show some respect
JJB0811 – You are repugnant. Guy battled lifelong obesity and made it to the NFL in spite of that. RIP
He battled against salads? Oil and vinegar was too much to ask for vs ranch? Yeah, its my fault for his death.
You sound like you eat something else
JJB it’s your fault you’re a d bag. Jared had an addiction to food, like your mother has an addiction to multiple Ds at once. We all have something.
So now you know as much about my family as that fat dude? Sure. You’re believable. Going by Brew Bernie, I guess you’re a drunk then. Knock back some MD 20/20
You just don’t get it
Addiction to food? What does that even mean? We all have to eat.
And some people eat when they’re not hungry. And when they’re depressed. To excess. For some people it’s booze. Heroin. I really need to explain the concept of addiction to u? Not surprised I guess since u don’t realize that dragging a guy who died at 38 is a scumbag move.
I’d call you an ass, but you aren’t worth it. Have a nice day.
I have a day and a few more because I changed my diet.
Shame you can’t change your personality
You’ll forget him in under a week. Give me a break on your stance. An over weight guy died, that’s it. He choose his life, as do we. Around the same age, I gave up on non-stop meats and other fatty’ness. Went to a better diet and exercised. So now I’m repugnant for that choice?
Kudos to you changing your lifestyle, but your decision to whizz all over a thread about a young man dying is repugnant.
Again, you’ll forget him in a week. So stop playing the saint role, it’s sad. If he weren’t sick/dead, you would never have mentioned him. But if that makes you feel good, then great.
Fat
Your a POS! Not rly worthy of the life you still have! Whatever you’ve “overcome” or “changed” doesn’t give you the right to trash up this thread! You could have simply skipped over it, and let his fans pay their respects. No you came and trashed the guy just to show how classless YOU are! Go choke on an artichoke heart D-Bag!
You maybe still fat so stfu
Go Joey Chestnut !!!
RIP Jared.
RIP big guy. Followed this guy on Facebook to watch his story. Was good to see his positive strides but knew he had lots of struggles.
RIP to the Hefty Lefty, the Round Mound of Touchdown. You gave us Giants fans a little joy while you wore the blue
RIP JL
Wow he was only 3 years older than me what a shame. First Tyler skaggs now J-Load…really puts things into perspective