Fat? That’s News to me!
Mo tries to sack weight story
LESS than a week after eyewitnesses told the Daily News that Muhammad Wilkerson didn’t look to be in the greatest shape at Temple Pro Day, the Jets defensive lineman relayed a message presumably from a recent workout.
Not long after The News suggested that Wilkerson post a video on a treadmill to show everyone that he’s taking care of himself, he did precisely that.
“They say I’m fat and out of shape?” Wilkerson said in a video posted on his verified Instagram account, wrapping up a walk or jog on a treadmill. “Haha. Keep sleeping on me. I’m telling you. I love it.”
NFL scouts gave a less-than-favorable impression of Wilkerson, who wrapped up a terrible season after signing a five-year, $86 million contract, last week.
“He looked like a pedestrian with a huge gut,” one scout, who saw Wilkerson two weeks ago, said. “I was shocked.”
Wilkerson declined a Daily News request for an interview to discuss his weight, conditioning and workout regimen through a team spokesman, but eyewitness accounts were clear: Wilkerson needs to take better care of himself.
A second scout at the pro day workouts told The News that Wilkerson appeared to be “sloppy” in person. Another eyewitness in Philly said Wilkerson was “looking absolutely terrible” and dismissed my contention that Wilkerson has never looked like a fitness model by texting, “LOL He’s always looked terribly out of shape?”
Wilkerson apologists have posted recent photos of Wilkerson that don’t make him appear to be Jabba the Hutt. There’s also a picture taken during the same time period that makes Wilkerson look woefully out of shape. Pictures, of course, can be misleading – good or bad – depending on lighting and angles.
Eyewitness accounts are the best gauge. The eyewitnesses I touched base with were in agreement that the 6-4, 315(?)-pound defensive lineman didn’t look to be in shape.
Wilkerson has plenty to prove after the worst season of his career that included a benching, repeated tardiness and an embarrassing missed practice (see: Birthday Cake) resulting from partying too hard the night before.
Wilkerson also drew the ire of Todd Bowles after throwing the Jets training staff under the bus for not having an adequate plan at the outset of the season for his surgically repaired leg.
The NFL Network reported last season that Wilkerson met with Bowles prior to signing his new mega-deal and “vowed to behave.” That obviously didn’t happen.
The Jets’ voluntary off-season program begins on April 17.
Wilkerson, who will account for a team-high $18 million against the 2017 salary cap, owes it to his employer to make sure he’s in shape. ROBERT SABO/NEWS