Alan Faneca's story is one of remarkable transformation, both on and off the football field. From his early days as a promising young athlete to his celebrated career in the NFL and his inspiring post-retirement weight loss journey, Faneca's life is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and dedication.
Early Years and Football Beginnings
"See those kids over there? That's what you need to be doing.” These impactful words from Alan Faneca's dad when he was just 7 years old, pointing to kids playing football across from his soccer practice, set the stage for his future. A year later, due to his larger size, Faneca, at 8, found himself playing on a football team with 9 and 10-year-olds.
Basketball and baseball were his auxiliary sports from this age through high school, but he eventually replaced baseball with track and field, where he threw discus and shotput. Although he showcased versatility on the defensive side of the ball, moving from linebacker to defensive end and then defensive tackle as he grew bigger, Faneca proved to be one of the most reliable and tenacious offensive linemen at the highest levels of football.
Growing up on the West Bank, Faneca attended high school in Houston, Texas, after his parents' divorce. Despite the move, he remained a huge LSU fan. A connection through his high school basketball team, where he kept stats alongside the son of LSU's offensive line coach, paved his way to becoming an LSU Tiger. Despite initially committing to another school, Faneca had a change of heart the night before signing day, influenced by the countless LSU posters adorning his room.
College Career at LSU
The decision to attend LSU proved fruitful, as Faneca became a multiple-time All-SEC honoree, All-American, and Outland Trophy finalist. Reflecting on his time as a Tiger, Faneca realized he had become the athlete he once admired on posters. "When I was there, you walk around the school and the facilities, and you see all the guys that were there before you. It was like an 'I'm part of those guys' moment. It was really special and an honor," Faneca said.
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Approaching his senior year, Faneca faced a difficult decision: forego his final season and declare for the NFL Draft. Despite the challenge of leaving his friends and team, he felt it was the right time to move on. "I didn't really have my mind made up the night before. I woke up that morning, and it just felt right for some reason. It felt right that it was time to go," Faneca said.
NFL Career and Achievements
Faneca's decision to enter the NFL Draft paid off when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He spent Draft Day celebrating with family and friends and called it one of the most exciting days of his life. Throughout his NFL career, Faneca earned numerous accolades, including eight All-Pro selections, nine Pro Bowl selections, and a Super Bowl championship. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
While acknowledging his natural talent, Faneca attributes his success to his relentless drive and work ethic. "I never rested on my ability. I definitely have a lot of God-given talent and ability. I took that as far as I could get it. There's a lot of guys who probably have more talent than me, but they didn't have the drive and push to go beyond that. I think when you start hearing those awards and accolades, that's what got me further," Faneca said.
Retirement and Weight Loss Journey
In 2011, Faneca retired from the NFL and began contemplating his next chapter. Part of that next phase included his weight loss journey. He knew he would start trying to lose weight once he was done playing, and was open to seeing if it stuck or not. In typical athlete fashion, Faneca went for it, guns blazing. "I lost 70 pounds in three months, then I decided to slow it down, and lost 30 pounds in the next four months. The day I lost 30 pounds, I was playing with Anabelle, my oldest. When I got up off the floor, I didn't make that old man grunt that I always made. That was the first time I noticed it, and I was like, 'Oh, that's kind of cool'," Faneca said.
He knew he would start trying to lose weight once he was done playing, and was open to seeing if it stuck or not. He lost 70 pounds in three months and another 30 pounds over the next four months. He made adjustments to his caloric intake, portion sizes, and eating habits, choosing healthier options more frequently throughout the day to avoid extreme hunger. He had to keep his caloric intake very high in order to maintain his football weight. He remembers elaborate protein shakes that he would toss back 2-3 times per day, just to stay on track. Now, Faneca is able to continue his healthy patterns in a way that supports his post-football lifestyle.
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Finding New Athletic Pursuits
With his playing career over, Faneca sought new ways to channel his athletic ability and competitive energy. Initially resistant, he eventually joined his wife, Julie, on runs. He took a wrong turn, and the run ended up being twice as long as it was supposed to be. Although he barely made it back to his truck, Faneca was then hooked. He trained for and completed the 2014 New Orleans Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in under four hours. While he may be done with full marathons, he still enjoys half marathons, trail races, Peloton bike workouts, Pilates, TRX, and bodyweight exercises.
Faneca recognized the parallels between football and long-distance running, noting that both require guts and perseverance. "It definitely takes the same amount of guts and perseverance that it takes to run, that it takes to train in football on the practice field. Especially like in training camp days, where you can leave and quit, or keep pushing. Those moments happen in running, too," Faneca said.
Coaching Career and Giving Back
In May 2021, Faneca was named Head Coach of the Frank W. Cox High School football team. He had considered being a professional coach, but once his family moved to Virginia Beach, a coaching position at Cox High School opened up, and Faneca was ready to see what he could do with the job.
Faneca aims to teach his players life lessons through football and be a role model for them. He said, "I had a friend who retired about two years before me, and he told me something was going on and I wouldn't get it until I was done. It was the first Sunday after I retired, and I didn't even realize it was football Sunday until 8pm. That's when I got was he was saying. I took a step away for a moment, but now I'm re-inserting myself back into it," Faneca said.
Faneca and his wife actively engage in charity work, hoping to inspire other athletes to use their platforms for good.
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The Lineman's Dilemma: Weight and Health
Faneca's weight loss journey is not unique among retired NFL offensive linemen. Many players face the challenge of maintaining a healthy weight after years of being required to bulk up for their positions. The pressure to be bigger and stronger can lead to unhealthy eating habits and potential long-term health complications.
Former NFL player Thomas described the mindset of constantly needing to eat to maintain weight, even waking up in the middle of the night to consume more calories. He said, "If I went two hours without eating, I literally would have cut your arm off and started eating it," the former offensive lineman said. "I felt if I missed a meal after two hours, I was going to lose weight, and I was going to get in trouble. That was the mindset I had. We got weighed in on Mondays, and if I lost 5 pounds, my coach was going to give me hell."
Jordan Gross, another former NFL player, noted that many fans know him more for his weight loss than for his on-field accomplishments. He said, "Fans know me more for losing weight than they do for anything I did in my entire career," Gross said. He also pointed out the unhealthy relationship with food that many offensive linemen develop, often starting in college. Thomas puts it bluntly: "You're training yourself to have an eating disorder the way you view food when you're in the NFL, and to try to deprogram that is a real challenge."
The pressure to maintain a certain weight can also lead to body image issues. Joe Hawley, a former center/guard, said, "I always had this insecurity of being big when it came to dating life, talking to women and going out being a 300-pound man," said former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons center/guard Joe Hawley. "I didn't want to be that big, but I had to because I loved football and that was my job."
The Evolution of Lineman Size
The average weight of offensive linemen has increased significantly over the years. In 1970, the average weight was 254.3 pounds, rising to 276.9 pounds by 1990. By 2000, it had jumped to 309.4 pounds, and today it stands at 315 pounds.
Some players, like Damien Woody, found it easy to gain weight, while others had to work hard to consume enough calories. Nick Hardwick, who wrestled at 171 pounds in high school, ballooned to 295 pounds by consuming large amounts of ground beef on tortillas. Chris Bober, a former lineman for the Giants and Chiefs, ate excessively to gain weight in college, including a 12-pack of tacos and a pound of potato oles for lunch.
Health Risks and Benefits of Slimming Down
The increased weight can lead to health complications. A 1994 study found that former NFL offensive and defensive linemen had a 52% increased risk of dying from heart conditions. Massive weight gain can also lead to obesity, affecting the heart, lungs, kidneys, and potentially the brain.
Slimming down after retirement can bring numerous health benefits. Faneca remembers the day he lost 30 pounds and could get up off the floor without groaning. Thomas noted that his body ached when he had to stand for a few minutes at 300 pounds. Gross hated sweating profusely all the time.
Strategies for Weight Loss
Many players find that losing weight in the first year after retirement is crucial. Some adopt regimented exercise and diet plans, while others seek help from dieticians or join weight loss programs. Scott Peters opened a mixed martial arts gym, while others engage in activities like jiu-jitsu and boxing.
Overcoming Challenges and Inspiring Others
Despite facing challenges such as epilepsy, Faneca has consistently demonstrated resilience and determination. He uses his platform to raise awareness for the disease and inspire others to overcome their own obstacles.
"Fifteen was a transformative year for me," Faneca recalled during his speech. "My dream of playing in the NFL was awakened, and that was when I was diagnosed with epilepsy. I vividly knew that I was not going to let anything prevent me from fulfilling this dream."