Should there be a weight limit in the NFL?

[TheSport78]

Sorry mods this will probably be moved, but I had a question for you guys. Especially for players that play on the offensive and defensive line, do you think there should be a weight limit that the players are required to play at? I see these massive nose tackles at over 300 lbs that are clinically obese, and IMO it's not safe for the present and especially the future.

I can see how skill positions for example have to stay at a somewhat lean and healthy weight, but if you compare offensive lines in the 1960's to offensive lines today, there's probably around a 100 pound difference. I think this is an area where the NFL should investigate, to insure the safety of the players health wise for the present and the future. What do you guys think?

 

[Hoofbite]

Why? So all the fat guys can just sit around?

 

[pgreptom]

Sorry mods this will probably be moved, but I had a question for you guys. Especially for players that play on the offensive and defensive line, do you think there should be a weight limit that the players are required to play at? I see these massive nose tackles at over 300 lbs that are clinically obese, and IMO it's not safe for the present and especially the future.

I can see how skill positions for example have to stay at a somewhat lean and healthy weight, but if you compare offensive lines in the 1960's to offensive lines today, there's probably around a 100 pound difference. I think this is an area where the NFL should investigate, to insure the safety of the players health wise for the present and the future. What do you guys think?

While 300 pounds is massive for a man - what most people fail to understand is that a bulk of this is muscle. Muscle is definitely the #1 contributor to the weight. They may have big bellies, but a good majority of American men in their 30's have bellies.

These men have A LOT of muscle in their legs, hips, chest, arms, etc - pretty much everywhere.

Lots of defensive players slim down big time after playing in the NFL. Same for offensive players.. a good example is Strahan... that guy got skinny - quick. Same for Moose Johnson. Emmitt Smith lost mad weight. Hell, even Sapp lost weight. Siragusa may still be a bigger man, but even he has lost some weight.

 

[TheSport78]

While 300 pounds is massive for a man - what most people fail to understand is that a bulk of this is muscle. Muscle is definitely the #1 contributor to the weight. They may have big bellies, but a good majority of American men in their 30's have bellies.

These men have A LOT of muscle in their legs, hips, chest, arms, etc - pretty much everywhere.

Lots of defensive players slim down big time after playing in the NFL. Same for offensive players.. a good example is Strahan... that guy got skinny - quick. Same for Moose Johnson. Emmitt Smith lost mad weight. Hell, even Sapp lost weight. Siragusa may still be a bigger man, but even he has lost some weight.

The players have definitely gotten bigger, stronger, faster, etc as the decades have gone on. Maybe it would make sense for players to have to be at a certain body fat percentage to make sure their body weight is mostly muscle, and not fat so it doesn't put them at risk for disease and other health issues.

 

[Brooksey]

Sorry mods this will probably be moved, but I had a question for you guys. Especially for players that play on the offensive and defensive line, do you think there should be a weight limit that the players are required to play at? I see these massive nose tackles at over 300 lbs that are clinically obese, and IMO it's not safe for the present and especially the future.

I can see how skill positions for example have to stay at a somewhat lean and healthy weight, but if you compare offensive lines in the 1960's to offensive lines today, there's probably around a 100 pound difference. I think this is an area where the NFL should investigate, to insure the safety of the players health wise for the present and the future. What do you guys think?

The lineman are such better athletes then they were back in the 60's, I don't think 300 lbs is enough. Right now there are some great lineman, with little body fat that play at 330 lbs. I think the rule has to come from the condition coach per team. Strength, Speed, Weight and Body fat are all goals of every team and their lineman but some just can't shed the body fat and are great players. I think the concussion issue is a bigger problem and concern.

 

[Rampage]

 

[iceberg]

Sorry mods this will probably be moved, but I had a question for you guys. Especially for players that play on the offensive and defensive line, do you think there should be a weight limit that the players are required to play at? I see these massive nose tackles at over 300 lbs that are clinically obese, and IMO it's not safe for the present and especially the future.

I can see how skill positions for example have to stay at a somewhat lean and healthy weight, but if you compare offensive lines in the 1960's to offensive lines today, there's probably around a 100 pound difference. I think this is an area where the NFL should investigate, to insure the safety of the players health wise for the present and the future. What do you guys think?

for a minute i thought you meant for the fans.

 

[twentytwo]

Maybe it would make sense for players to have to be at a certain body fat percentage to make sure their body weight is mostly muscle, and not fat so it doesn't put them at risk for disease and other health issues.

This seems to be the best idea in my opinion.

 

[twentytwo]

:laugh1:

 

[MapleLeaf]

...but I hate to break everyone's bubble.

They have a large component of muscle that is functional for the sport and position they play...

But to hold the body types of 330 lb + men as an ideal standard with no link to obesity is ludicrous. Many of these players are carrying extra that we would define as medically unnecessary.

 

[Jon88]

Yes, since these players are being forced to play at their respective weights.

 

[tunahelper]

Sorry mods this will probably be moved, but I had a question for you guys. Especially for players that play on the offensive and defensive line, do you think there should be a weight limit that the players are required to play at? I see these massive nose tackles at over 300 lbs that are clinically obese, and IMO it's not safe for the present and especially the future.

I can see how skill positions for example have to stay at a somewhat lean and healthy weight, but if you compare offensive lines in the 1960's to offensive lines today, there's probably around a 100 pound difference. I think this is an area where the NFL should investigate, to insure the safety of the players health wise for the present and the future. What do you guys think?

Most teams keep their players at an ideal playing weight and hold them to it. It should be evaluated on an individual basis as it is currently conducted.

 

[Teren_Kanan]

These guys are fine regardless of their weight. An obese lineman still does intense workouts every day, they are still healthier than thin people who do not work out.

The only problem with their weight comes after they retire, when they are so used to their super high calorie diets, but become lax or just quit working out entirely.

 

[CATCH17]

Eh, who cares?

 

[locked&loaded]

While 300 pounds is massive for a man - what most people fail to understand is that a bulk of this is muscle. Muscle is definitely the #1 contributor to the weight.quote]

Ofcoures they will have more muscle by weight, muscle weighs more than fat. But these players are not 15 percent body fat, heck they arent 25. Infact usatoday just had an article on this. They tested college football players and everyone that was obese was on the line. Many of them had problems with insulin etc. They may be strong because they are bigger but they are all 30% and above on the bmi scale.

 

[THUMPER]

Sorry mods this will probably be moved, but I had a question for you guys. Especially for players that play on the offensive and defensive line, do you think there should be a weight limit that the players are required to play at? I see these massive nose tackles at over 300 lbs that are clinically obese, and IMO it's not safe for the present and especially the future.

I can see how skill positions for example have to stay at a somewhat lean and healthy weight, but if you compare offensive lines in the 1960's to offensive lines today, there's probably around a 100 pound difference. I think this is an area where the NFL should investigate, to insure the safety of the players health wise for the present and the future. What do you guys think?

Here is the progression of the size of OLs by decade using the starters for the championship team of each year as a sample:

1940 - Bears: 6'2.0" 235.2 lbs
1950 - Browns: 6'2.2" 227.6 lbs
1960 - Eagles: 6'1.8" 238.6 lbs
1970 - Colts: 6'3.4" 248.2 lbs
1980 - Raiders: 6'4.2" 261.8 lbs
1990 - Giants: 6'5.2" 289.4 lbs
2000 - Ravens: 6'4.8" 316 lbs
2008 - Stealers: 6'4.0" 318.2 lbs

You can see that from the 1940 through the 1960 the size of the OLs didn't change much but it jumped over an inch and 10 lbs by 1970. It went up another inch and over 13 lbs by 1980 and an inch and over 27 lbs by 1990!

After 1990 the height went down a little but the weight went up by nearly 27 lbs by 2000 and a couple more by last season.

To put this in perspective: since 1970 the average OL has grown only a half an inch but has gained 70 lbs!

Yes, a large percentage of that additional weight is muscle but today's players are significantly fatter than they were 40 years ago. Looking at a typical OL today they have a huge gut when compared with those who played prior to the 80s.

Oh yeah, forgot to answer the OP's question: No, there should not be a weight limit in the NFL.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Should there be a weight limit in the NFL?

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I don't know. This is the first post I see today.
And I have to admit I just laughed out loud.
Not dumping on the post, it just made me laugh.
On the other hand, there have been some thoughtful and courteous responses.

 

[Section446]

NO, for the love of ****, the NFL has more than enough rules already.

 

[speedkilz88]

This man is listed as 6-6 353, he's been as high as 370 or more. Does he look obese to you? I rest my case.

 

[chuffly]

...but I hate to break everyone's bubble.

They have a large component of muscle that is functional for the sport and position they play...

But to hold the body types of 330 lb + men as an ideal standard with no link to obesity is ludicrous. Many of these players are carrying extra that we would define as medically unnecessary.

This. These guys have about as much muscle as 300+ pound men can have, but any time you have guys that size, they are going to be carrying quite a bit of fat with it.