Former NFL lineman tired of life passing him by

Former NFL offensive lineman Antone Davis was tired of sitting on the bench.
Davis, whose career fell short of expectations after he was the No. 8 overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1991 NFL draft, found himself sidelined in a far more painful situation in recent years. By his early 40s, Davis’ weight had ballooned to 476 pounds – more than 150 pounds beyond the playing weight during his pro career and more than enough to make him a bystander as he tried to take care of his four children.

“I was that parent who sits on the bench at Disney World,” said Davis, a contestant on this year’s “Biggest Loser” television show. Tuesday night’s episode features several current and former NFL players as coaches for the contestants, including New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees(notes), Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez(notes) and Buffalo Bills linebacker Shawne Merriman(notes). “We used to live in Disney’s backyard [in Clermont, Fla.], buy the passes and I’d go sit and watch my kids, unable to do something.”

Worse, Davis was watching as one college alumnus after another died, seemingly prematurely. Davis, 44, can name six former Tennessee offensive or defensive linemen who have died in their 40s in recent years, from Reggie White in 2004 to Daryle Smith and Harry Galbreath in 2010. He played with or knew all of them.

“It doesn’t take a lot to understand that we were all linemen, big guys, who pushed our bodies and now you start to realize what it means all these years later and it scares you,” said Davis, who spent two years with the Atlanta Falcons after his five-year stint with Philadelphia. “I realized I have to do something about this and I have to do it now.”

So Davis, who described himself as a “stress” eater, signed on for the show. To lose the weight, he had to push his body harder than ever before. He also had to walk away from his job as a manager at a Chili’s restaurant.

Davis arrived at that point after he and his wife failed in another restaurant business. The combination of starting a restaurant during an economic downturn was a disaster for Davis.

“It’s not just the stress, but you’re working long hours, you’re surrounded by food and then your habits just get worse and worse,” said Davis, who now resides in Knoxville, Tenn. “When I was a player, making weight was never a problem. You’re active, you’re busy, you’re preparing for the next game. When you’re out in the real world, trying to operate a business, you’re eating late, you’re eating standing up, you’re eating on the run and all of a sudden it’s out of control.”

Davis said he eventually recognized the bad habits and realized eating wasn’t solving his stress. Now, he has an incredible sense of pride about what he has accomplished. Most important, he’s no longer on the sideline and has no intention of going back.

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“I have these four kids and I don’t want them to lose me by 50,” Davis said. “I know they need me. All the things that happened up to now, you realize that’s just a bump in the road. My plan took a little detour, but it can be solved.”