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SPORTS

U of L's OL confident it would win eating battle

Jeff Greer
@jeffgreer_cj
University of Louisville offensive lineman Jamon Brown runs through drills at the Cardinals’ practice fields last year.

Jamon Brown's weight loss this offseason garnered a ton of praise from Louisville football's coaching staff and Brown's teammates.

And deservedly so: He dropped 20-plus pounds from his 348-pound frame and is moving much better ahead of his senior season, one he hopes propels him to a professional football career.

But before the 6-6 left tackle changed his eating habits, the big fella was known as the king of eating -- at least among his U of L football teammates. And if they had to pick one leader in an eating competition, fellow U of L offensive linemen Jake Smith and John Miller would nominate Brown.

"I would say he probably is (the biggest eater)," said Miller, who's 6-2, 325 pounds. "The whole O-line is. We definitely eat."

Smith, sitting next to Miller, said the three of them, who each started all 13 of Louisville's games last season, can handle a hefty chicken bucket from Chicken King when they're out together.

"Us three go out and get 100-piece wings and put it down," Smith said as Miller snickered next to him. "Chicken King's the spot."

OK, so what if Brown said he couldn't go because of the diet he started this year? Could Smith and Miller handle the century bucket on their own?

"Yeah ... Perhaps," Miller started, clearly considering the question before answering it.

"Perhaps," Smith responded with a grin. Again Miller giggled and then offered an estimation.

"Me and Jake could split it 50-50 and we'd be fine."

"Probably wouldn't feel too good the next two days," Smith said.

All kidding aside, the two seniors said Brown and the rest of their position group's dedicated to eating right, especially in camp and during the season.

The biggest challenge is dropping fried foods and mixing salads and protein. For players who are supposed to be big, that can be a tiring process for the linemen.

"It's pretty tricky the way your body works," Smith said. "You have to have fats in there -- anything you can add calories with. I know with me, if I overeat, my weight'll go way up. If I undereat, my weight will go way down. It fluctuates.

"In season, you want to eat healthy. You want to feel good. This is one of the things I've learned and what the older guys learn: If you're eating fried food every day, then you're going to feel terrible in practice. You really have to work hard to maintain your weight, but if all you're eating is salad and grilled chicken, you're going to lose weight."