LenDale White: I Won't Be Fat Again

LenDale White doesn't look like the LenDale White we're used to seeing. White told The Tennessean that he's weighing in at only 229 pounds this offseason, way short of the 260 he's weighed at times throughout his pro career.

A 230-pound White should still be big enough to move the pile, but he may actually be able to make a couple of guys miss for a change, too. But there is the question of White's motivation, which is brought up in Jim Wyatt's story.

For one reason or another, however, White decided to get serious this offseason. Whether it's because he's headed into the final year of his contract, or because he's sincerely motivated by his critical fumble in January's playoff loss to the Ravens, it doesn't matter to anyone with the team as long as White stays committed.

There's one reason: White is slimming down to get paid. When he was a rookie, he didn't do this, but you could write that off as a rookie not understanding what was needed to excel in the NFL. A year later, the signing of Chris Brown and drafting of Chris Henry didn't spur White to slim down. And last offseason the drafting of Chris Johnson couldn't inspire White to push away from the table.

But now, he's playing for a new contract, and he knows that he will be looking at a much smaller deal if he's just a goal-line back rather than a guy who can be an every-down back. Hello Slim-Fast.

But White's promises seem about as realistic as Kirstie Alley's. White has always struggled with his weight. The fact that he can slim down for the final year of his contract (after playing at a fatter weight than ideal in the past three years) doesn't exactly say "spend a ton of money on me."

Athletes Who Have Fattened up

Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley is one of the many former athletes who've gained weight over the years. Click through to see other big weight gains for sports stars.

NBA / Getty Images

Tony Gwynn
MLB Hall of Famer

Diamond Images / Getty Images

Mike Tyson
Former heavyweight boxing champion

AP / Getty Images

Diego Maradona
Soccer legend and Argentina head coach

Allsport / Getty Images

John Daly
Professional golfer, two-time major tournament winner

Getty Images (2)

John Starks
Former New York Knicks guard and NBA All-Star

Getty Images (2)

Brett Hull
U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer and co-general manager of the Dallas Stars

Getty Images

Anthony Mason
Former NBA power forward

Getty Images (2)

Roger Clemens
MLB legend, seven-time Cy Young Award winner

Getty Images (2)

George Foreman
Former heavyweight boxing champion

AP / Getty Images

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