Did you watch “Game of Thrones” Sunday and notice a new character named Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane? If you took one look at him and thought that massive being could easily play in the NFL, you’re not alone.
The actor who plays “The Mountain” on the popular HBO show is a champion weightlifter from Iceland named Hafthor Bjornsson. Bjornsson finished third in the World’s Strongest Man competition in 2012 and 2013 and second in 2014. For some reason this string bean hasn’t been able to finish first — pathetic, right?
After Bjornsson appeared on the show Sunday, a few sports sites reminded us that Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay talked last year about the possibility of signing the massive man.
Off/Def Lineman,so many 6-3 to 6-7..320-365 lbs/Big,Physical and Nasty! Speaking of size/strength..GM Grig's just might sign "The Icelander"
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) May 13, 2013
This 6-9..419 lbs…"The Icelander"…for $200 n Colts T-shirt n Cap…who is this 23 year old Monster Strong Man? 1 guess only by 3pm EST
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) May 13, 2013
Yes, Bjornsson checks in at a ridiculous 6-foot-9 and 419 pounds.
What’s that? You want more stats? How’s this:
Bjornsson’s highest weightlifting marks include:
Squat – 350 kg (794 lbs.) raw
Bench press – 230 kg (507 lbs.) raw
Strongman Deadlift – 420 kg (924 lbs.) raw with wrist straps
Loglift – 192.5 kg (424 lbs.)
Not bad. Frankly, I was expecting about 600 on the bench and at least 800 on the squat, but we’ll give him a pass. I’m not sure why things didn’t work out with the Colts, but I have to imagine the league’s PED policy might have presented a challenge.
