Thread: Why #Eagles Carson Wentz's newly adopted diet in 2019 has slowly led to his seemingly "out-of-nowhere" regression, backed by tons of historical examples. #FlyEaglesFly

[1/21] Carson Wentz, as reported back in August 2019 by @kracze, did a complete 360 on his diet with the help of his newly hired nutritionist in efforts to minimize injury. “He’s checked his man card at the door, and he’s gone all vegan,” Kracz said. https://cbssportsradio.radio.com/articles/eagles-carson-wentz-vegan-checked-man-card-door

[2/21] It is important to note that Wentz now operates as Gluten-Free and he has not 100% cut meat out of his diet. However, the avid hunter has changed his eating habits completely, and now focuses on eating green rather than eating lean.

[3/21] Wentz's weight has fluctuated abnormally over the past two seasons. At the beginning of 2018 (non-green) Wentz weighed in at 245 lbs, then he was introduced to a new diet and his weight dropped to 237 lbs. At the beginning of the 2020 season Wentz was up to 250 lbs.

[4/21] So what does a vegan diet do to high level athletes that it doesn't do to an normal living vegan? NFL players tear muscle tissue at a higher rate than non-athletes. This tissue is repaired naturally as muscle builds. High levels of protein are required for this phenomenon.

[5/21] These extreme levels of protein made up of the essential amino acids are difficult to find in plant based options at times. This adversely affects players strength, and I dive deeper into the production of NFL players that have gone vegan.

[6/21] Cam Newton
Before the 2019 season began Newton adopted a vegan diet. He started the season injured with a foot sprain, and then had a rough first two starts:

W1 - Newton rushed for -2 yds and had a Passer Rtg of 72.1

W2 - 0 rushing yds, Passer Rtg of 70.1

W3 - Benched

[7/21] Cam Newton (cont'd)
He was previously pescatarian (fish only). Newton's 2018 (a year before vegan) was a great one, here's how his 2018 stats rank compared to his career:

Passer Rtg: 94.2 (2nd)
TD/Int Ratio: 1.85 (2nd)
Cmp%: 67.94% (1st)
Yds/carry: 4.8 (5th)

[8/21] Cam Newton (cont'd)
Newton's 2020 has been a step forward from 2019, but still remains far from his 2018, which was only 2 seasons ago.

Passer Rtg: 84.4
Td/Int Ratio: 0.57
Cmp%: 68.15%
Yds/carry: 4.1

[9/21] Arian Foster
Foster retired mid-season in 2016 after he had been riddled by injury. In the four years before Foster was vegan he had played in 51 games, after he switched to vegan he played 29 games in four years, with each year's production progressively getting worse.

[10/21] Aaron Rodgers
Heading into 2016 Rodgers decided to eat vegan. Before 2016 Rodgers ranked 1st in the NFL in Adjusted Comp%, then from 2016-18 he ranked 16th. Rodgers got away from eating vegan and began eating organic, he has been Top 7 in Adjusted Comp% since.

[11/21] Demaryius Thomas
Thomas began eating vegan in 2017, if you remember correctly Thomas was a Top 5 NFL WR. He lost 26 lbs (3 more than Wentz) and started to battle injury. Since then he's bounced around from roster to roster, he is currently a FA and his career likely over.

[12/21] David Johnson
In 2017 Johnson decided to try going vegan. He lasted all of 3 weeks before he quit. "The longer he continued a vegan diet, the more weight he lost. He dropped 14 pounds in less than two weeks." Johnson has not been the same RB ever since.

[13/21] Colin Kaepernick
Kaep began eating vegan in late 2015. During the 2015-16 seasons Kaepernick was graded the worst QB out of 37 QBs. Kaepernick was 3-16 during that time and his backup Blaine Gabbert finished 4-9 with the 9ers. Kaepernick was a FA by 2017.

[14/21] Amari Cooper
Cooper is the most recent example. Cooper ate vegan heading into the 2019 season. He was quoted saying, "It didn't work out as expected, it caused more injury and I wasn't 100%." Cooper has since quit eating vegan and has turned in an impressive 2020.

[15/21] Conclusion
Now some things work for you but may not for others. I am not claiming that changing to a vegan diet is harmful for everyone, but it is most certainly not for everyone. Bodies react differently, but there is a glaring trend across NFL players and veganism.

[16/21] Conclusion
It reduces most player's overall power and strength. Now this may not affect a player at all, but as you can see above the position that is most affected is QB. It seems like I am clamoring at every last bit of info to excuse Wentz for his play.

[17/21] Conclusion
That is not my goal here, instead it's to highlight a trend that seems so artificial yet so real at the same time. I am the furthest thing from a nutritionist, but there are tons of statistics that prove some athletes do not benefit from these diets.

[18/21] Conclusion
The US Humane Research Council found that 84% of people that decide to go vegan/vegetarian quit typically within a year because, "Their bodies simply can't handle it." As I watch Wentz play it seems he's slower in speed, acceleration, and reaction time.

[19/21] Conclusion
In no way can Wentz's struggles in 2019/2020 be wholly related to his diet, but it most definitely has played a factor. Wentz has lost some of his power, which many vegan athletes complain about. It is evident in his throws and his ability to escape pressure.

[20/21] Conclusion
These players are just a few examples of the adverse effects of eating vegan as a high level athlete. What I am describing does not pertain to the everyday "normal" vegan. Here are links to some studies from over the years: https://www.lonesomelands.com/new-blog/2019/9/16/t2amoscp1u1ynq1ms3sk9shr5ewlvj

[21/21] Conclusion
Some notable media members that have discussed the effects of veganism on professional athletes: @ScottBarrettDFB @BrendanRMarks