Jared Lorenzen

Lorenzen attended Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and was a letterman in football, basketball, and baseball. In basketball, he was a three-year letterman and helped lead his team to Kentucky Sweet 16 appearances.{{cite news |url=http://enquirer.com/editions/1999/03/09/spt_smith.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131218161000/http://enquirer.com/editions/1999/03/09/spt_smith.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 18, 2013 |title=Highlands' Smith 1st-team all-state |date=March 9, 1999 |newspaper= The Cincinnati Enquirer |access-date=December 18, 2013}} As a junior, he passed for a Northern Kentucky-record 2,759 yards and 37 touchdowns in 13 games.{{cite news |url=http://enquirer.com/editions/1998/10/01/spt_lorenzen01.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131218161031/http://enquirer.com/editions/1998/10/01/spt_lorenzen01.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 18, 2013 |title=Highlands QB commits to UK |author=Neil Schmidt |date=October 1, 1998 |newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer |access-date=December 18, 2013}} As a senior in 1998, he completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,393 yards, 45 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also rushed for 904 yards (8.4 average per carry) and 15 TDs in leading Highlands to a 15–0 season{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1696&dat=19981213&id=k_IaAAAAIBAJ&pg=6503,1933646 |title=Finalist named for Mr. Football |date=December 13, 1998 |newspaper=Daily News |access-date=December 18, 2013 |archive-date=September 27, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927202435/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1696&dat=19981213&id=k_IaAAAAIBAJ&pg=6503,1933646 }} and No.19 national ranking as a senior, earning him the Mr. Football Award.{{cite news |url=http://enquirer.com/editions/1998/12/23/spt_lorenzen_is_mr.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131218150505/http://enquirer.com/editions/1998/12/23/spt_lorenzen_is_mr.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 18, 2013 |title=Lorenzen is Mr. Football |author=Neil Schmidt |date=December 23, 1998 |newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer |access-date=December 18, 2013}} Five games into his senior season, Lorenzen committed to the University of Kentucky.

When Lorenzen arrived at the University of Kentucky, he redshirted as a true freshman. As a redshirt freshman, he was named the team's starting quarterback by Wildcats head coach Hal Mumme ahead of returning starter Dusty Bonner.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=20000729&id=i2seAAAAIBAJ&pg=4869,3783885 |title=New Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen is... Large and in Charge |author=Greg Dewalt |date=July 29, 2000 |newspaper=Times Daily |access-date=December 18, 2013 |archive-date=September 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927202955/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=20000729&id=i2seAAAAIBAJ&pg=4869,3783885 |url-status=live }} The move caused Bonner to transfer.{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2000/06/11/qb-bonner-leaves-kentucky/ |title=Qb Bonner Leaves Kentucky |author=Jack Thompson |date=June 11, 2000 |publisher=Chicago Tribune |work=www.chicagotribune.com |access-date=December 18, 2013 |archive-date=December 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219033337/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2000-06-11/sports/0006110196_1_coach-hal-mumme-jared-lorenzen-spring |url-status=live }} Lorenzen's career at Kentucky was marked by two head coaching changes; Mumme departed as an investigation into NCAA rules violations brought down his staff and resulted in the program being placed on probation with scholarship limitations. After Lorenzen helped lead the team to a 7–5 record in 2002, head coach Guy Morriss left to become the head coach at Baylor University and was replaced by Rich Brooks, who designed plays in which Lorenzen lined up as a receiver while Shane Boyd played quarterback. Despite all the turmoil, Lorenzen set school records in total offense, passing yards, and passing touchdowns, eclipsing many marks set by 1999 NFL No. 1 overall draft pick Tim Couch.{{cite web |url=http://lubbockonline.com/stories/022104/pro_022104096.shtml |title=Lorenzen hopes to make it big in NFL |author=Michael Conroy |date=February 21, 2004 |publisher=Lubbock Avalanche-Journal |work=www.lubbockonline.com |access-date=December 18, 2013 |archive-date=December 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219014328/http://lubbockonline.com/stories/022104/pro_022104096.shtml |url-status=live }}

File:!Jared Lorenzen.JPG

Lorenzen was not selected in the 2004 NFL draft and signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=1791113 |title=Giants sign Kentucky QB Jared Lorenzen |date=April 27, 2004 |publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures |work=ESPN |access-date=December 18, 2013 |archive-date=December 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219042337/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=1791113 |url-status=live }} He declined an offer by coach Tom Coughlin to play in NFL Europe in 2005.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/03/sports/football/03giants.html|title=Lorenzen Tries to Adapt to His Giants Family|first=John|last=Branch|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 3, 2006|access-date=April 27, 2018|archive-date=April 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428011632/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/03/sports/football/03giants.html|url-status=live}} Lorenzen was the third string quarterback for 2004 and 2005 for the Giants, behind starter Eli Manning and backup Tim Hasselbeck.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/27/sports/football/27giants.html |author=John Branch |date=August 27, 2006 |title=Lorenzen Sets Sights on Backup Role |work=New York Times |access-date=July 5, 2019 |archive-date=July 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705111401/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/27/sports/football/27giants.html |url-status=live }}

In the 2006 preseason, Lorenzen led his team to victory by engineering a game-winning drive against the Baltimore Ravens. Following that performance and an impressive training camp he was officially named the Giants' backup quarterback three weeks later.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/11382220/ex-nfl-qb-jared-lorenzen-lifelong-battle-weight |work=ESPN |title=Ex-NFL QB Jared Lorenzen's lifelong battle with weight |author=Tommy Tomlinson |date=August 21, 2014 |access-date=July 5, 2019 |archive-date=July 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704053132/http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/11382220/ex-nfl-qb-jared-lorenzen-lifelong-battle-weight |url-status=live }}

Lorenzen made his first appearance on the field in a Giants uniform on December 30, 2006. During this game, he was used for one play, a quarterback sneak to make a first down on a third-and-one.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=261230028|title=Giants vs. Redskins - Game Recap - December 30, 2006 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=April 27, 2018|archive-date=April 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427184024/http://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=261230028|url-status=dead}}

Lorenzen made his second appearance on Sunday, January 7, 2007, in the Giants' wild card loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. On the Giants' opening drive, he lined up at quarterback on a third-and-one and got the first down, "shifting the pile" in the process, on the way to a Giants touchdown.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=270107021|title=Giants vs. Eagles - Game Recap - January 7, 2007 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=April 27, 2018|archive-date=January 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103161256/http://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=270107021|url-status=dead}}

Lorenzen's first significant regular season appearance occurred on September 9, 2007, when he took over for the injured Manning in the fourth quarter of the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/giants-qb-jared-lorenzen-waiting-chance-start-article-1.246638 |title=Giants' QB Jared Lorenzen waiting for chance to start |author=Ralph Vacchiano |date=September 16, 2007 |publisher=NYDailyNews.com |work=www.nydailynews.com |access-date=December 18, 2013 |archive-date=December 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221052937/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/giants-qb-jared-lorenzen-waiting-chance-start-article-1.246638 |url-status=live }} Lorenzen made both his first regular season pass and rush, but failed to earn a first down. He played again the following week, against the Green Bay Packers, completing three passes in five attempts for 21 yards.{{cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/jaredlorenzen/2505854/gamelogs?season=2007 |work=NFL |title=Jared Lorenzen - Game Logs - 2007 |access-date=July 5, 2019 |archive-date=September 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927203000/https://www.nfl.com/players/ |url-status=live }} This proved to be his final appearance in the NFL, as Manning's injury did not cost him any further playing time and Lorenzen did not see further action in the 2007 season. He continued to serve as Manning's backup for the remainder of the season, which concluded with the Giants winning Super Bowl XLII against the then-undefeated New England Patriots and Lorenzen earning a championship ring.

After the team's Super Bowl win, Lorenzen was released by the Giants on June 23, 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/ny-spgiants245739862jun24,0,5177489.story |title=Unknown |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080628004759/http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/ny-spgiants245739862jun24%2C0%2C5177489.story |archive-date=June 28, 2008 }}

On July 24, 2008, Lorenzen was signed by the Indianapolis Colts.{{cite web|url=http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article43970640.html|title=Lorenzen signs with Colts|access-date=April 27, 2018|archive-date=April 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428093423/http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article43970640.html|url-status=live}} He played during the preseason,{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2014/02/05/what-hefty-qb-jared-lorenzen-does-for-a-day-job/ |work=New York Post |title=What hefty QB Jared Lorenzen does for a day job |author=John DeMarzo |date=February 5, 2014 |access-date=July 5, 2019 |archive-date=July 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705105531/https://nypost.com/2014/02/05/what-hefty-qb-jared-lorenzen-does-for-a-day-job/ |url-status=live }} but was waived during the final cuts for the 53-man roster.{{cite web|url=http://origin-www.kffl.com/player/9115/nfl|title=Jared Lorenzen, QB, Free Agent|access-date=April 27, 2018|archive-date=April 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428011719/http://origin-www.kffl.com/player/9115/nfl|url-status=dead}}

On February 10, 2009, Lorenzen was assigned to the Kentucky Horsemen of the AF2 league.{{cite web|url=http://www.af2.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3525&ATCLID=3667151&SPID=11958&ISWIDE=1 |title=Former NFL QB and Kentucky star Jared Lorenzen joins Horsemen; QB Justin Rascati also assigned to team |work=af2.com |publisher=af2 |date=February 10, 2009 |access-date=February 11, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217170310/http://www.af2.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3525&ATCLID=3667151&SPID=11958&ISWIDE=1 |archive-date=February 17, 2009 }} The team went bankrupt and was dissolved in October 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.kentucky.com/sports/article44012355.html|title=Horsemen forced to fold|access-date=April 27, 2018|archive-date=April 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428093636/http://www.kentucky.com/sports/article44012355.html|url-status=live}}

After the Horsemen folded, Lorenzen retired as a player. On March 23, 2010, he was hired as the quarterbacks coach at his alma mater, Highlands High School, in Fort Thomas, Kentucky.{{Cite web|url=http://bluegrasspreps.com/ky-football-high/jared-lorenzen-new-202285-page4.html#post3776484|title=Jared Lorenzen New QB Coach at Highlands|access-date=December 18, 2013|archive-date=December 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219030318/http://bluegrasspreps.com/ky-football-high/jared-lorenzen-new-202285-page4.html#post3776484|url-status=dead}}

In 2011, Lorenzen returned to professional football, this time working as the general manager of the Northern Kentucky River Monsters of the Ultimate Indoor Football League.{{cite web|url=http://offthebench.nbcsports.com/2011/05/18/former-giants-qb-jared-lorenzen-still-wingin-it-living-large/ |title=Former Giants QB Jared Lorenzen still wingin' it, living large |author=Rick Chandler |date=May 18, 2011 |publisher=NBC Sports |work=www.nbcsports.com |access-date=December 18, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219021806/http://offthebench.nbcsports.com/2011/05/18/former-giants-qb-jared-lorenzen-still-wingin-it-living-large/ |archive-date=December 19, 2013 }} Still wanting to compete on the field, Lorenzen resigned as GM to become the team's starting quarterback.{{cite web|url=http://www.lex18.com/news/jared-lorenzen-returning-to-football |title=Jared Lorenzen Returning To Football |work=lex18.com |publisher=LEX18 |date=February 24, 2011 |access-date=May 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928121533/http://www.lex18.com/news/jared-lorenzen-returning-to-football |archive-date=September 28, 2011 }} Lorenzen had a highly successful season, throwing for 81 touchdowns and winning the league's MVP award.{{cite web|url=http://theuifl.com/archives/1429 |title=Unknown |publisher=Ultimate Indoor Football League |work=www.theuifl.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219080511/http://theuifl.com/archives/1429 |archive-date=February 19, 2015 }}{{Cite news|last=Sherman|first=Rodger|date=3 February 2014|title=Jared Lorenzen: Still playing football, still enormous, still an American hero|work=SBNation|url=https://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/2/3/5375884/jared-lorenzen-northern-kentucky-river-monsters|access-date=9 May 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111204554/http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/2/3/5375884/jared-lorenzen-northern-kentucky-river-monsters|url-status=live}}

After gaining some positive press for his return to football, Lorenzen was named commissioner of the league after the 2011 season.

Still wanting to play, Lorenzen quit the UIFL's top job and signed with the Owensboro Rage of the Continental Indoor Football League partway through the 2013 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.14news.com/story/21766219/owensboro-rage-signs-super-bowl-champion-qb |title=Owensboro Rage signs former UK QB Jared Lorenzen |date=March 22, 2013 |author=Sean Edmondson |publisher=WorldNow and WFIE |work=www.14news.com |access-date=December 18, 2013 |archive-date=December 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219014528/http://www.14news.com/story/21766219/owensboro-rage-signs-super-bowl-champion-qb |url-status=live }} The Rage folded two weeks prior to the end of the season due to lack of funds.{{cite web |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4579183 |title=CIFL Suspends Owensboro Rage Operations |date=April 19, 2013 |publisher=OurSports Central |work=www.oursportscentral.com |access-date=April 24, 2013 |archive-date=May 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528135616/http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4579183 |url-status=live }}

Lorenzen returned to the River Monsters, by this point a member of the Continental Indoor Football League, on December 17, 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4717855 |title=Super Bowl Champion Returns to River Monsters to "Finish What We Started" |date=December 18, 2013 |publisher=OurSports Central |work=www.oursportscentral.com |access-date=December 18, 2013 |archive-date=December 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219060812/http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4717855 |url-status=live }} In his first game of the season, he showed that he still had plenty of skill, side-stepping defenders. Lorenzen's play was filmed and the videos ended up all over the internet, overshadowing the River Monsters' 36–20 victory over the Bluegrass Warhorses.{{cite web |url=http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20140209/SPT/302090027/Jared-Lorenzen-s-CIFL-opening-performance-goes-viral |title=Jared Lorenzen's CIFL opening performance goes viral |author=Paul Dehner Jr. |date=February 9, 2014 |publisher=Gannett |work=www.cincinnati.com |access-date=February 11, 2014 |archive-date=March 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302194556/http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20140209/SPT/302090027/Jared-Lorenzen-s-CIFL-opening-performance-goes-viral |url-status=live }} The following week, however, Lorenzen broke his tibia in a 42–30 loss to the Erie Explosion, ending his pro playing career.{{cite web |url=http://www.goerie.com/explosion-knock-off-northern-kentucky-knock-out-lorenzen# |title=Explosion knock off Northern Kentucky, knock out Lorenzen |publisher=Erie Times-News |work=www.goerie.com |access-date=February 10, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222205701/http://www.goerie.com/explosion-knock-off-northern-kentucky-knock-out-lorenzen |archive-date=February 22, 2014 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20140210/SPORTS03/302100027/1029/SPORTS/Jared-Lorenzen-breaks-leg-Sunday-s-Northern-Kentucky-River-Monsters-game |title=Jared Lorenzen breaks leg in Sunday's Northern Kentucky River Monsters game |author=Jonathan Lintner |date=February 10, 2014 |publisher=Gannett |work=www.courier-journal.com |access-date=February 11, 2014}}

Lorenzen was a guest host of the Lexington-based radio show Kentucky Sports Radio, mainly during UK football season. In 2015, he started a T-shirt company, ThrowboyTees.{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/Bolt/Guess-who-started-a-t-shirt-company-Jared-Lorenzen-thats-who-38144298|title=Guess who started a t-shirt company. Jared Lorenzen, that's who.|access-date=December 12, 2017|archive-date=September 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927203044/https://247sports.com/Article/guess-who-started-a-t-shirt-company-jared-lorenzen-thats-who-38144298/|url-status=dead}}

On July 28, 2017, Lorenzen launched "The Jared Lorenzen Project", where he chronicled online his attempts at fighting his obesity, weighing over {{convert|500|lbs}}.Sacks, Ethan, [https://www.today.com/health/ex-giants-qb-jared-lorenzen-tries-sack-obesity-t114896 Now 500 pounds, former Giants QB Jared Lorenzen goes to battle against obesity] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110054442/https://www.today.com/health/ex-giants-qb-jared-lorenzen-tries-sack-obesity-t114896 |date=January 10, 2018 }}, The Today Show, August 10, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/weighing-500-plus-pounds-jared-lorenzen-launches-project-get-healthy-video-170751146.html|title=After weighing in at 500-plus pounds (JESUS CHRIST!!), Jared Lorenzen launches project to get healthy (Video)|access-date=August 2, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=August 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802002836/https://sports.yahoo.com/weighing-500-plus-pounds-jared-lorenzen-launches-project-get-healthy-video-170751146.html|url-status=live}} By April 2018, Lorenzen had lost over {{convert|100|lbs}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ftw/2018/04/19/how-formerly-500pound-jared-hefty-lefty-lorenzen-lost-100-pounds-in-a-year/111152024/|title=How Jared Lorenzen lost 100 pounds in a year|website=USA Today |access-date=April 27, 2018|archive-date=May 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502224351/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ftw/2018/04/19/how-formerly-500pound-jared-hefty-lefty-lorenzen-lost-100-pounds-in-a-year/111152024/|url-status=live}} His story was documented by ESPN in July 2018.{{Citation|last=ESPN|title=Jared Lorenzen, a once in a generation athlete, now faces a battle for his life |date=July 19, 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgYtRELShDY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/UgYtRELShDY |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|publisher=ESPN|series=E:60|access-date=July 24, 2018}}{{cbignore}}

Lorenzen died on July 3, 2019, at age 38,{{Cite web|url=https://www.wkyt.com/content/sports/Former-Kentucky-quarterback-Jared-Lorenzen-dies-at-38-512184742.html|title=Former Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen dies at 38|access-date=July 3, 2019|archive-date=July 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703203943/https://www.wkyt.com/content/sports/Former-Kentucky-quarterback-Jared-Lorenzen-dies-at-38-512184742.html|url-status=dead}} from an acute infection, complicated by heart and kidney problems.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wkyt.com/content/sports/Former-UK-QB-Jared-Lorenzen-hospitalized-512046132.html|title=Former UK QB Jared Lorenzen hospitalized|access-date=July 3, 2019|archive-date=July 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703203949/https://www.wkyt.com/content/sports/Former-UK-QB-Jared-Lorenzen-hospitalized-512046132.html|url-status=dead}}

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{{succession box

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lorenzen, Jared}}

Category:1981 births

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Category:American football quarterbacks

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