Post by TheShadow on Sept 6, 2008 10:42:24 GMT -5
www.insidebayarea.com/
By Carl Steward
Staff columnist
HAYWARD
Even if you were aware that former Oakland Raider Chester McGlockton now coaches the defensive line at Chabot College, you might have trouble spotting him on the sideline this season.
Even five years removed from his playing days — 11 years since his last season with Oakland — fans still have a powerful mental picture of Big Chet, all 335 menacing pounds.
But following laparascopic weight-loss (Lap-Band) surgery last winter, McGlockton said he has dropped 60 pounds. It looks like more. I didn't believe it was actually him when I ventured out to the Gladiators' practice field this week.
McGlockton looks great. But even after shedding nearly 20 percent of his former self, he often feels horrible. The maladies from a 12-year NFL career playing defensive tackle took a physical toll that he must confront daily.
Aching back. Sore neck. Weak shoulders. Stiff ankle. Numb toe. Balky knees. Almost constant pain that gets worse after standing two to three hours on a practice field, which occasionally forces him to leave early. Having to make premature departures prompts emotional pain as well, because McGlockton hates leaving the young men under his tutelage.
It's a dilemma for a man who has discovered that he loves coaching but isn't too optimistic that he will be able to pursue it as a full-time job.
"I don't know if I could do it as a career because I don't know if I could put in the hours," he said. "My body just can't put up with it. But right now, God has me here, so that's where I'm going to take it. If I didn't enjoy it so much, I wouldn't be doing it. I'm in too much pain."
Chabot opens its 2008 season at home Saturday night against West Valley, and McGlockton is excited about his second year on coach Danny Calcagno's staff. He is a formidable presence for a junior college team to have, even at a reduced size.
"He's a really good technician and he does a good job of communicating that to the kids," Calcagno said. "The kids are all attentive when he's talking because they know what he's gone through and they know what he's telling them is real."
When he was with the Raiders, McGlockton was one of the last guys I believed would wind up coaching, particularly at a JC where there are scant accolades and comparatively little pay.
Early in his career, he never would have believed it, either. But in the latter years of his career, he felt like a coach on the field and decided to look into it after he retired in 2003. After a stint in the coaching internship program with NFL Europe — it went belly-up with the league — McGlockton found out about a possible position at Chabot before last season through the Linemen Inc. football camp. He and Calcagno set up an interview and the unlikely alliance took off from there.
"You have to be someplace that you really enjoy, and right now, I've found that place — Chabot is it," he said. "It's kinda weird. Even though it's a small college, a junior college, they don't have the money and this and that, I love these kids. They work their butt off. Most of them have jobs, have to pay for their own school. They come from underprivileged homes. But they're here, they're trying. A lot of players at major colleges have it made, yet you see 'em moaning and groaning. I'd rather work with a kid who hasn't had the same opportunities and see him succeed. I like to see them come in raw and get him to a point where they can get a scholarship. And I like teaching life principles, too."
That's the other striking change in McGlockton. His strong religious devotion has reshaped his personality and outlook on life. Sullen and temperamental as a player, he is affable and loquacious today. If it wasn't for his health, he definitely would be a bright coordinator or head coach prospect.
Dropping weight has helped stimulate the dream, but McGlockton seems unsure he can press much beyond what he's doing now.
"I still get stingers, and I haven't played in five years," he said. "I shot my toe up so many times I can barely move it. The (Lap-Band) surgery helped tremendously, it makes me eat like I'm supposed to. But I still can't work out or go run. It just hurts too much. What's scary is I'm only 39. God forbid when I get to 50, 60. I'm just hoping I can walk."
I asked McGlockton if he would have approached his career differently if he knew then what he knows now about the health hazards.
"I would definitely be more cautious about playing," he said. "Instead of coming back four to five weeks after back surgery (which he had in 1998 with Kansas City), I might have taken the rest of the season. But the nature of the business is that you have to be on the field or you'll be out of the game. It's what it is. So you suck it up and play even though you may be hurt."
These days, it's all McGlockton can do just to sustain the vicarious thrill of playing football.
"I love to see my guys competing," he said, wincing as he bent over to pick up the cell phone he'd dropped. "Even though it's not me out there competing, it still feels as though I am."
By Carl Steward
Staff columnist
HAYWARD
Even if you were aware that former Oakland Raider Chester McGlockton now coaches the defensive line at Chabot College, you might have trouble spotting him on the sideline this season.
Even five years removed from his playing days — 11 years since his last season with Oakland — fans still have a powerful mental picture of Big Chet, all 335 menacing pounds.
But following laparascopic weight-loss (Lap-Band) surgery last winter, McGlockton said he has dropped 60 pounds. It looks like more. I didn't believe it was actually him when I ventured out to the Gladiators' practice field this week.
McGlockton looks great. But even after shedding nearly 20 percent of his former self, he often feels horrible. The maladies from a 12-year NFL career playing defensive tackle took a physical toll that he must confront daily.
Aching back. Sore neck. Weak shoulders. Stiff ankle. Numb toe. Balky knees. Almost constant pain that gets worse after standing two to three hours on a practice field, which occasionally forces him to leave early. Having to make premature departures prompts emotional pain as well, because McGlockton hates leaving the young men under his tutelage.
It's a dilemma for a man who has discovered that he loves coaching but isn't too optimistic that he will be able to pursue it as a full-time job.
"I don't know if I could do it as a career because I don't know if I could put in the hours," he said. "My body just can't put up with it. But right now, God has me here, so that's where I'm going to take it. If I didn't enjoy it so much, I wouldn't be doing it. I'm in too much pain."
Chabot opens its 2008 season at home Saturday night against West Valley, and McGlockton is excited about his second year on coach Danny Calcagno's staff. He is a formidable presence for a junior college team to have, even at a reduced size.
"He's a really good technician and he does a good job of communicating that to the kids," Calcagno said. "The kids are all attentive when he's talking because they know what he's gone through and they know what he's telling them is real."
When he was with the Raiders, McGlockton was one of the last guys I believed would wind up coaching, particularly at a JC where there are scant accolades and comparatively little pay.
Early in his career, he never would have believed it, either. But in the latter years of his career, he felt like a coach on the field and decided to look into it after he retired in 2003. After a stint in the coaching internship program with NFL Europe — it went belly-up with the league — McGlockton found out about a possible position at Chabot before last season through the Linemen Inc. football camp. He and Calcagno set up an interview and the unlikely alliance took off from there.
"You have to be someplace that you really enjoy, and right now, I've found that place — Chabot is it," he said. "It's kinda weird. Even though it's a small college, a junior college, they don't have the money and this and that, I love these kids. They work their butt off. Most of them have jobs, have to pay for their own school. They come from underprivileged homes. But they're here, they're trying. A lot of players at major colleges have it made, yet you see 'em moaning and groaning. I'd rather work with a kid who hasn't had the same opportunities and see him succeed. I like to see them come in raw and get him to a point where they can get a scholarship. And I like teaching life principles, too."
That's the other striking change in McGlockton. His strong religious devotion has reshaped his personality and outlook on life. Sullen and temperamental as a player, he is affable and loquacious today. If it wasn't for his health, he definitely would be a bright coordinator or head coach prospect.
Dropping weight has helped stimulate the dream, but McGlockton seems unsure he can press much beyond what he's doing now.
"I still get stingers, and I haven't played in five years," he said. "I shot my toe up so many times I can barely move it. The (Lap-Band) surgery helped tremendously, it makes me eat like I'm supposed to. But I still can't work out or go run. It just hurts too much. What's scary is I'm only 39. God forbid when I get to 50, 60. I'm just hoping I can walk."
I asked McGlockton if he would have approached his career differently if he knew then what he knows now about the health hazards.
"I would definitely be more cautious about playing," he said. "Instead of coming back four to five weeks after back surgery (which he had in 1998 with Kansas City), I might have taken the rest of the season. But the nature of the business is that you have to be on the field or you'll be out of the game. It's what it is. So you suck it up and play even though you may be hurt."
These days, it's all McGlockton can do just to sustain the vicarious thrill of playing football.
"I love to see my guys competing," he said, wincing as he bent over to pick up the cell phone he'd dropped. "Even though it's not me out there competing, it still feels as though I am."