If you follow football, you know who the stars are: quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, big-hitting safeties and sure-tackling linebackers.  Only occasionally does a lineman get the same kind of attention, usually after a sack or a forced fumble.  But without those underappreciated big men, nothing else can happen—and that’s what Jordan’s First Annual Big Man Competition was all about.  “This is for you linemen,” said Jordan head coach Scott Meyer.  “This is your day.”

And representatives from Jordan, Leuzinger, Chaffey, and Ontario had a great time, competing in ten events ranging from the 530-lb Tire Flip to a semi-truck pull.  The amount of camaraderie between fellow linemen was impressive, with teams cheering each other on.

Jordan excelled in the speed-events, like the Super Yoke (where players were timed for how fast they could carry 300+ pounds on their shoulders for 20 yards) and the Big Man Relay, which the Panthers won by almost a whole relay-length; they took second overall (Leuzinger won).

But the highlight of the day was the grand finale, when the teams came together for an 8-man Tug-of-War competition.  In their first go, Jordan provided the day’s most entertaining spectacle when they came within six inches of losing before collectively digging in their cleats and hauling the opposition off of theirs—demonstrating that Big Man competitions can have come-from-behind victories, too.

“It’s great for the players,” said Meyer afterward.  “They see us leave two times a week to go to passing leagues to have fun while they stay here and work.”

It was a treat to see the underappreciated workhorses of football get their day in the sun—until of course the event was over, and Jordan’s big men had to lug their equipment back to the weight room.  Well, there’s always next year…

Tip of the hat to Scott Brengel and the rest of his guys from the East Coast/West Coast Gym down in Costa Mesa—they brought all the equipment and did the setup for the event. 

Pulling away from the brink of defeat

The Panthers and their coach celebrate the come-from-behind victory