Losing Weight Wilson’s Way: Pound Quarterbacks

Quarterbacks don’t like the taste of dirt. Defensive linemen, especially ones getting fined for being overweight, don’t like the taste of footballs.

Well, Dallas quarterback Danny White got a bad taste in his mouth in Saturday night’s exhibition game courtesy of a sack by Charger Earl Wilson, who in turn had the football pushed into his facemask by White.

“He tried to get me to eat the ball,” Wilson said in retrospect. “I guess he didn’t know I was on a diet.”

Wilson still needs to lose a few pounds or it is going to continue to cost him money. At least he hasn’t lost his sense of humor in the process.

Since the beginning of camp, when Wilson reported in at 285 pounds, the defensive lineman has been fined $25 per day for every pound he is above 275.

His wallet is taking a pounding. Thus far, he has paid $3,275.

After Saturday’s game against Dallas, Wilson thought the end might be in sight. He had weighed in at a week-low 279 pounds, and he figured the rigors of a game would be enough to make him lose the extra pounds.

Then came Sunday.

That’s the day when players are on their own until 7:30 p.m. and can do what they want, including living it up.

Therein lies the problem for Wilson.

The first weekend of August, he ballooned from 282 to 289 on the off day.

Despite Saturday’s game, he returned to camp Monday weighing 282. It cost him another $175 and meant he will have to continue weighing in each day.

“Anytime I get a day off, I get in a little trouble,” Wilson said. “I might have one too many beers.”

At training camp, there are no such problems. Players are on a regimented schedule almost from the time they get up until they go to bed.

In Wilson’s few spare moments, he has even consulted a nutritionist.

He said the nutritionist shared “a few tips” on what he should eat. It resulted in a steady diet of vegetables, white meat, salad and bread--except on Sundays.

“This is the first time I have ever experienced anything like this,” Wilson said. “It’s really not too bad. It’s nice to be around people who are concerned and willing to help.”

The Chargers have emphasized that this is being done for Wilson’s good.

The situation evolved when Wilson left mini-camp in May to clear up “personal business” back home in Kentucky.

That didn’t sit well with the coaching staff. With the Chargers in need of an improved defense, the coaches expected defensive players to give up some time for the team in the off-season.

When Wilson left mini-camp, he reportedly weighed 291.

“I knew this would happen,” Gunther Cunningham, defensive line coach, said of the weight gain. “That’s what made me so damn mad when he left.”

And when Wilson left, that’s what made the Chargers decide to set a weight standard.

Wilson is considered an integral part of the Charger defense. After coming from the Canadian Football League before the 1985 season, he started the final nine games at right defensive end. He had 33 tackles and three quarterback sacks.

His goal is to record at least 10 quarterback sacks.

Though the Chargers expect him to lose weight until he reaches 275, his playing weight actually may be heavier. Once he reaches 275 in training camp, the daily weigh-ins will cease for a while. “He’ll probably end up playing at 285,” Cunningham said. “This (the daily weigh-in) is a principle thing. We’ll see if he can handle 285. Whatever he can handle, he’ll play at. If he can’t handle it, we’ll have to reset a weight for him.”

Wilson said: “I played at 280 to 285 in the Canadian League. This is something (the Chargers) want. It’s their team. I’ll try to do what they ask.”

What about the attention being focused on Wilson’s weight?

“Sometimes, it gets old,” he said. “I try not to think of the negative side. I try to think of the positive. I’m working hard, trying to learn and am keeping my head in the game.”

The coaching staff has noticed.

Earlier in camp, there was question about Wilson’s discipline, deriving from his weight problem. As Wilson has battled his weight, he appears to be battling better on the field.

“This was not a pull-it-out-your-ear request,” Cunningham said. “His performance is going to be better because of it. He is more alert and tuned in to what is going on on the field. Believe it or not, he’s taking a leadership role.”

Charger players are taking the fine money from Wilson and putting it into a pot for an undecided cause.

In the past, the players have given fine money to charity and bought a new stereo for the locker room. Last year, the fine money went toward chicken and beer parties after Thursday practices.

“Earl is just giving to his buddies,” Coach Don Coryell said. “It’s more chicken and beer on Thursday nights.”

There’s one problem. Unless Wilson drops the required weight, he won’t be able to enjoy the parties as much.