For most people, trading in potato chips for carrot sticks just means a trimmer waistline and better cardiovascular health. For Shaquil Barrett, it was the difference between being able to support his growing family, or not.
Two years ago, as the 6-foot-1 outside linebacker’s time was coming to an end at Colorado State, he weighed in at 250 pounds. An athletic male averages between 6-13 percent body fat. Most NFL linebackers are about 12 percent — Barrett’s body fat percentage of 24 was lineman status.
After going undrafted and then seeing a picture of himself with what he describes as a “muffin top,” Barrett made a change.
“Two years ago, my whole diet changed,” Barrett said. “I started eating vegetables, steak, chicken and rice. I just tried to make it a lifestyle, not a diet.”
Another huge change, thanks to a recommendation from teammate Von Miller, was to start drinking more water. Barrett traded in sugary juices and sports drinks for water and it has made a world of difference in his appearance.
But Barrett’s linebacker coach at CSU, Marty English, says that’s the only thing it changed; the talent has been there all along, but NFL scouts just weren’t seeing it.
“It was very frustrating, because there’s guys that are scouts in that league that would come ask me, ‘we trust you, do you really believe in this guy?’ and you tell ‘em, ‘yeah.’ You’re telling them all the right things, and then he’s not drafted,” English said. “He was that good of a player. Above and beyond, he was that good of a person. When you have good character and you carry it over on the field and you’re a good player — I mean, those kind of things blend together to make guys have this kind of success in the NFL. And I could see him in this role, doing this.”
English, along with the rest of the CSU staff, feel an extreme source of pride in seeing where Barrett’s drive and talent have taken him. Not only because the 2013 Mountain West Player of the Year helped them to a winning record and a bowl game victory, but because Barrett is a true class act.
At only 23 years old, Barrett celebrated his four-year wedding anniversary shortly after the Super Bowl win, and is a father of three. College is hard. Being a Division I athlete in college is harder. Playing a sport and raising three kids while in college? Some would find that impossible.
“You know he was a dad, a husband and we had to accommodate for that to let him have that role also,” English said. “It’s not like it was the same as every player. He couldn’t train the same way. There were times he had to go be a dad or go be a husband. With him balancing all that, he has done a great job.”
But Barrett has done more than just balance his life commitments. He is on his way to being a regular starter on a Championship NFL team. People are confusing him with Pro Bowl teammate and Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller. He is literally living out every childhood dream he has ever had.
But he’s not done yet.
“He’s Von Miller. There’s only one Von Miller. I can’t do it the way he does it, but I can try, and it works out sometimes,” Barrett said. “But I’m not where I want to be at yet. I’m still working. I want to become one of the best who has ever played the game, and that’s what I’m still striving for.”
Barrett’s chance came after Demarcus Ware was injured in the 2015 season. Ware has battled an injury during training camp, and is only guaranteed one more season with Denver. Barrett has proved himself to be a playmaker, and his time to shine is just on the horizon.
For anyone who has had the chance to talk to him, you know he is a guy that deserves it.
“He is just a tremendous character guy. The sacrifices he makes for his family, I almost get choked up because I believe in this guy so much. He is just top-of-the-line character,” English said. “He is just that guy that you can count on, all the time. You knew that you could count on him, and now his family knows they can count on him. We are just so proud of him.”
