The NFL discovers the bicycle

[Jacques de Molay]

The Rise of the NFL Cycling Nerd
Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway is one of the growing number of NFL players using hard-core bicycling to train for football.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-rise-of-the-nfl-cycling-nerd-1451428267?mod=e2tw

I suppose it's a good thing, on some level, but really, there are some serious WTF & LOL moments in this piece.

Greenway can ride up to 60 miles in a day.

How is that humanly possible?

The result? Improved leg turnover, fresher legs, and nearly everything else. “It’s helped my hip girdle, my jabs, it’s huge for the hamstrings,” said Greenway, a two-time Pro Bowl selection. “And it’s a lot more core than you would think, just maintaining your position on the bike works the core.”

Odd. The oft-repeated mantra from trainers and dedicated cyclists is the need to work on core muscle development in order to improve their cycling skills. Yet NFL players can use cycling to "work the core"?

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin is known for making the three-mile trek to work at the Eagles facility on a bike. He is so devoted to it that he’s appeared in advertisements for Philadelphia’s bike-sharing program.

Three miles?!?! How could he possibly have any energy left for NFL practice?

“It helps with explosion, stamina, endurance and it keeps your legs fresh and it helps range of motion,” said Winslow. “I have to ride to function.” Winslow said he doesn’t even lift weights anymore—maybe a few push-ups—because of the full-body impact of the biking.

Cycling replacing an NFL weight-lifting regimen? GTFO!!!!


Now before anyone jumps on me for my cynicism...
C'mon. This is funny!

A more serious discussion may follow too. So please don't let my amusement stand in the way of that.

 

[StyrbjornSterki]

Former Pittsburgh Steeler running back and NFL hall-of-famer Franco Harris was an integral member of the now-defunct USA-based National Cycling League, which featured a team criterium racing format. And Harris was the owner of the Pittsburgh-based franchise, the "Power." It figures that someone whose day job was running headlong into people would fancy a go at the crits.

The league supposedly was structured after the NFL, to include a gargantuan "world champion's" ring for each member of the season's top team. Mountain bike hall-of-fame Steve Tilford speaks of his experience in the league in his blog here. And there's a short (20-year-old) newspaper article about the league here.

 

[Jacques de Molay]

Re:

The league supposedly was structured after the NFL...

Really interesting post. Thanks for that. I can't believe they had TV broadcast time for those races because this is there first I've ever heard of it.

Some interesting comments beneath the linked articles from former race participants. I noticed Papp in there as well. Maybe he has mores stories to share about it.