Maurkice Pouncey was one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL for a full decade and played at 304 pounds. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ five-time All-Pro center and nine-time Pro Bowler retired in 2020 and underwent a mind-blowing weight loss makes him nearly unrecognizable!
He is a shell of his former self.
Pouncey, a unanimous All-American and national champion at Florida, was drafted No. 18 overall in 2010. His 11-year career in the National Football League cemented him as one of the best in history at his position, center. Heavy hands was/were his trademark. He was a mauler.
HELLO Maurkice Pouncey pic.twitter.com/vZ1qXPOogH
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) June 4, 2019
There are very few centers who were as dominant as Pouncey. Some of the reps from his legendary career were downright ridiculous. To pick up a stunting three-technique and a blitzing linebacker on the same play without any addition help from either guard is simply outrageous.
Especially during the final year of an 11-year career!
Heck of a rep by Maurkice Pouncey. Picks up the stunting DL and the blitzing LB. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/OVM9SdWKXq
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) November 25, 2020
Part of what made Pouncey special was his big frame and violent nature. However, the latter occasionally got him into trouble— like when he stood up for his quarterback by attacking Myles Garrett during the infamous Browns/Steelers brawl.
Nevertheless, Pouncey was a dominant force on the gridiron at more than 300 pounds.
Not anymore! The 34-year-old (and his brother Mike) underwent a massive weight transformation as soon as he retied like many offensive and defensive linemen do. They “eat like rabbits” today after “eating like pigs” while playing.
Here is how he looked as a rookie in 2010:
One year before retirement in 2019:
Not long after he hung up his cleats in May of 2021:
About a year later in March of 2022:
Last October:
And here is how he looks today:
Le’Veon Bell, who used to run behind the former 300-pounder, was equally as astonished by the photo and put Pouncey’s weight loss into perspective.
this man used to block 300lbs nose guards ALONE ..
— @LeVeonBell
It is rather insane to think about how far Maurkice Pouncey has come in terms of his frame. The skinny man he is today would not be able to do what he was doing at more than three bills from 2010 through 2020!