Ten NFL Athletes Adhering to a Plant-Based Diet
Vegan NFL Players Embrace Plant-Based Diets for Performance and Health
In the world of professional football, where strength and endurance are paramount, an increasing number of players are turning to plant-based diets to fuel their performance.
Tyrann Mathieu, safety for the Kansas City Chiefs, has recently shed 16 pounds by adopting a plant-based diet. Despite the challenges of maintaining this lifestyle during road trips, Mathieu feels better than ever.
Tom Brady, the legendary quarterback for the New England Patriots, is another high-profile athlete who has embraced a plant-based diet. Brady eats 80% vegetable-based food and has even developed a vegan dinner range called TB12.
Wesley Woodyard, linebacker for the Tennessee Titans, was initially skeptical about a plant-based diet but switched after noticing significant changes during a 28-day vegan program. He continues to follow this diet and has been a fixture in the NFL since 2008, initially with the Denver Broncos.
Griff Whalen, a free agent wide receiver, also noticed improvements after his 28-day vegan program and has decided to continue with the diet.
Justin Fields, an NFL quarterback, is one of the most prominent vegan players in the league. He adopted a vegan diet around 2022, citing performance benefits. Fields claims that veganism has made him feel lighter and faster.
Colin Kaepernick, a free agent quarterback, has also chosen veganism for ethical reasons. He claims that this lifestyle change has made him feel healthier. There have been speculations that his vegan diet may have been a reason NFL teams have passed on signing him. Kaepernick is best known for his protests against racism and has raised serious questions about why he remains a free agent.
Jurrell Casey, defensive end for the Tennessee Titans, initially had concerns about veganism affecting his strength but now claims to recover faster and have more energy.
Cam Newton, quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, has credited veganism for helping him recover from injuries throughout his career.
Some players have been inspired to try veganism after watching documentaries like What the Health.
DaQuan Jones, nose tackle for the Tennessee Titans, has been an important part of the Titans' defense since 2014. He was drafted by the team in the fourth round.
Theo Riddick, running back for the Denver Broncos, credits veganism for improving his recovery level and allowing him to feel ready to play again on Tuesdays after a game.
Many NFL players are choosing to fuel themselves with plant-based diets and still performing at the highest levels. This is evident in the success of players like Tom Brady, who has won six Super Bowl rings and is considered one of the greatest players in NFL history.
While vegan NFL players may be few, their numbers are growing, and their stories serve as inspiration for others in the league and beyond.
A rising number of NFL players have adopted plant-based diets, such as blogger Griff Whalen and free agent wide receiver, emulating notable athletes like Tom Brady who has developed a vegan dinner range named TB12. Some players, like safety Tyrann Mathieu and linebacker Wesley Woodyard, have transitioned to this lifestyle due to performance benefits. This trend in nutrition can also be seen in the NFL community, with players like Justin Fields and Colin Kaepernick making the switch for various reasons, including health, ethics, or recovery from injuries. Even players initially skeptical about veganism, like Jurrell Casey and Cam Newton, have found benefits, reporting faster recovery and increased energy levels.
