Former Giants Back-Up Quarterback Jared Lorenzen Dies at 38

Former University of Kentucky quarterback and New York Giants back-up QB Jared Lorenzen has died at the age of 38. This comes less than a week after Lorenzen was admitted to the ICU with kidney and heart problems.

Lorenzen was hospitalized last week, his family said.

“It is with heavy hearts that the family of Jared Lorenzen would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation for all your support and prayers over the past six days. We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Jared today,” the family said in a statement. “Please keep Jared’s family, and especially his children, in your thoughts and prayers.”

Lorenzen served as a backup quarterback for from 2006-2007 for the New York Giants with Eli Manning, who released a statement upon hearing the news of Lorenzen’s passing. He stated, “Jared was a great teammate and friend. We competed against each other in college and came to the Giants together. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I will always remember his competitive spirit and his good nature. Jared has left us all way too soon.”

Lorenzen, nicknamed “The Hefty Lefty,” holds the record for most career passing yards with 10,354, at the University of Kentucky, where he played for four seasons before being signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent. He was with the Giants when they won the 2008 Super Bowl.

Lorenzen struggled with his weight over the years and after a broken leg led to him retiring from football, he admitted that he weighed over 500 pounds before starting “The Jared Lorenzen Project.” Lorenzen started the project as a way to share his journey to get healthier.

Source: People