Former NFL and Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen has died at the age of 38.
Lorenzen’s family announced in a statement Wednesday that the former quarterback had died earlier in the day.
Here is a statement from the family of Jared Lorenzen pic.twitter.com/vTJn2gdNU5
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) July 3, 2019
Lorenzen was placed in intensive care at a hospital on Friday after experiencing health issues for a few weeks. His family said at the time that Lorenzen was dealing with an infection, and kidney and heart issues. He was on dialysis as of Tuesday and had been maintaining ground, according to his family.
Lorenzen was known in his playing days for his large size, which was unconventional for a quarterback and more fitting for an offensive lineman. Known as “The Hefty Lefty” and “Pillsbury Throwboy,” Lorenzen started four seasons for Kentucky in college from 2000-2004, throwing for 78 touchdowns and 41 interceptions. He signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2004 and won a Super Bowl ring with the team.
This is true dedication to the pregame show. @ryanlemond and I are set up in Knoxville and ready. #trunkofthecar pic.twitter.com/78gaCFznNC
— jared lorenzen (@JaredLorenzen22) November 18, 2017
Lorenzen was listed at 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds in his playing days. The former quarterback’s weight issues became worse over time, and he admitted he struggled with obesity his entire life. He even was scared to weigh himself for several years. Lorenzen filmed a documentary about his attempts to lose weight called “The Jared Lorenzen Project.” At the start of the show, he weighed over 500 pounds and said at the time he would die within five years if he didn’t change things.
