Record-setting Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen dies at 38

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Jared Lorenzen, a husky left-handed quarterback who set multiple Kentucky passing and offensive records before backing up Eli Manning on the New York Giants’ Super Bowl-winning 2007 team, has died. He was 38.

A release from the school said Lorenzen’s family announced his death on Wednesday, but did not specify a cause or where he died. Kentucky Sports Radio founder Matt Jones tweeted a statement from Lorenzen’s family announcing his passing.

Former Kentucky and NFL QB Jared Lorenzen died Wednesday after a battle with cardiac and renal issues, his family confirmed to ESPN. He was 38. https://t.co/2qcwr6GE0V

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 3, 2019

Popular around Lexington for his outgoing personality, Lorenzen was listed at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds his senior season and known by several nicknames including “The Hefty Lefty.” The Covington, Kentucky, native holds school records including 10,637 offensive yards on 1,793 plays from 2000-03. He also tops UK passing marks for yards (10,354) and attempts (1,514), including a record 321 throws in 2000.

A member of the New York Giants from 2004-07, Lorenzen was on the squad that upset unbeaten New England 17-14 in Super Bowl 42 in 2008.

The Giants tweeted that Lorenzen “was an important member of our 2007 team, one that created its own destiny. Our thoughts are with Jared’s family and friends who loved and appreciated him so much, just as our organization and fans did.”

Rest in Peace to a college legend.

Jared Lorenzen was a baller. pic.twitter.com/iHpnv2B9ER

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) July 3, 2019

Since his playing days ended, Lorenzen’s weight on his 6-foot, 4-inch frame topped 500 pounds, an issue he knew he had to address and tried to with a public declaration in 2017 that he would begin working toward a healthier lifestyle and helping others do the same. His “Jared Lorenzen Project” became a health and wellness tour as well as the subject of a documentary by noted filmmaker Anthony Holt and a segment on ESPN’s “E:60” series.

Lorenzen was elected to the UK Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015. Athletic director Mitch Barnhart said “We are deeply saddened to learn of Jared Lorenzen’s passing” in a statement and added, “He was a true Wildcat and a man whose love for the University of Kentucky was plain to see well after his playing days were over.”

Today we lost Jared Lorenzen at the young age of 38

Jared's former @UKFootball Head Coach, Rich Brooks, joined @Andy_Staples on @SXMCollege to remember the QB pic.twitter.com/cFYpI3zSW0

— College Sports on SiriusXM (@SXMCollege) July 4, 2019

Lorenzen played with the Northern Kentucky River Monsters among several indoor teams before retiring in 2013.