Football's heaviest player ever grapples with dismay as team restricts his participation in practices until he sheds pounds
Heaviest NFL Player Strives for Success: Desmond Watson's Journey with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Desmond Watson, the heaviest player in NFL history, is currently working tirelessly to make his mark with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Weighing 464 pounds at his college pro day, Watson has been signed by the Buccaneers after going undrafted in April.
The Buccaneers coach, Todd Bowles, has expressed his belief that Watson could offer more than just the 'tush push' play, a term coined for Watson's ability to stuff the line of scrimmage. Bowles stated that the goal is to get Watson better and healthier to get him on the field more.
Watson has been seen walking laps around the practice field in 95F (35C) weather, as he works with a team nutritionist to lose weight and improve his health. The team has been monitoring his weight and health closely since he started the 2025 training camp on the non-football injury list due to his weight concerns.
Despite his size, Watson could be useful in the current NFL climate, particularly on critical fourth-and-1 plays. This is evident from the record 71.5% fourth-and-1 conversion rate seen in 2024, partly due to the 'tush push' play run by the Philadelphia Eagles.
However, Watson's chances of making Tampa Bay's final 53-man roster appear relatively long, given he is yet to suit up in training camp drills. As it stands, he has been watching his fellow defensive linemen go through drills, unable to participate.
Watson aims to be known as a good football player, not just the heaviest in NFL history. He has been asked to lose more weight to play in the NFL, a challenge he is determined to overcome.
Prior to Watson, some of the heaviest players in NFL history included offensive linemen and defensive tackles typically weighing in the 350-400 pound range. Nate Newton, one of the most dominant guards of the 1990s, joined the Cowboys weighing 401lbs. Newton went on to make six Pro Bowls and help the Cowboys win three Super Bowls.
While Watson's journey is unique, his determination to overcome challenges and make a name for himself in the NFL is inspiring. He has been dubbed 'the tush push terminator', a testament to his potential impact on the field. As the season approaches, fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how Watson's story unfolds.
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- Given his weight concerns, Desmond Watson has been working closely with a team nutritionist to lose weight and improve his health, with the aim of carving out a successful career in the NFL.
- While Watson is the heaviest player in NFL history, he aspires to be remembered as a good football player, perhaps even emulating the success of Nate Newton, one of the most dominant guards of the 1990s, who weighed 401lbs but went on to make six Pro Bowls and help the Cowboys win three Super Bowls.
- As the season approaches, the potential impact of Desmond Watson on the field is a topic of great interest among fans and analysts, with many eager to see if he can offer more than just the 'tush push' play and help the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in critical situations such as fourth-and-1 plays.
- Despite the heavy looming presence of MLB, MMA, and other sports, the current NFL climate seems particularly conducive to Watson's potential success, as demonstrated by the record 71.5% fourth-and-1 conversion rate seen in 2024, partly due to the 'tush push' play run by teams like the Philadelphia Eagles.
