By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Jared Lorenzen, a record-setting quarterback for Highlands High School and the University of Kentucky, was admitted to the hospital Friday with serious medical issues and placed in an intensive care unit.
Jared Lorenzen
A statement released by his family reads: “Jared is battling an infection, kidney and heart issues. He is fighting with everything he has and his immediate family is by his side.”
Lorenzen, 38, had been battling weight problems for years. In an article posted on the USA Today website, he revealed that he had exceeded 500 pounds in 2017 when he enlisted the help of a trainer and nutritionist to help him lose weight.
He began producing YouTube videos about his weight loss project and reportedly dropped 100 pounds during the first year. But the statement released by his family said: “Jared had not been feeling well for a few weeks and that finally caught up with him.”
Lorenzen was named Mr. Kentucky Football after his senior season at Highlands in 1998. At that time, the left-handed quarterback held team passing records in career yardage (6,821), career touchdowns (89), single-season yardage (3,392) and single-season touchdowns (45).
At the University of Kentucky, where he picked up the nickname “Hefty Lefty,” he threw for a school-record 10,354 yards over four seasons. He was later signed by the New York Giants and was the back-up quarterback on its 2008 Super Bowl champion team.
Lorenzen retired from football after getting injured playing quarterback for the Northern Kentucky River Monsters arena team that he started.
