New Detroit Lions nose tackle Danny Shelton had a conference call with local Detroit media and he mentioned that he uses Jiu-Jitsu as part of his training regimen — an impressive feat for a man who tips the scales at 330-pounds.
Shelton said he took it up around four years ago in California — training with members of the legendary Gracie Jiu-Jitsu family — and that it helps him with body control and close combat work, similar to what he’s asked to do in the trenches of the NFL.
“I feel it’s a different arena and it gets my mind off of football,” Shelton said in an interview before joining the Patriots two seasons ago. “I have fun with it. It’s nothing serious but at the same time, I love doing the training. Jiu-Jitsu – I love the cardio that it brings and just being able to push myself even further. It’s a fun sport and I love the training.”
After his first season in New England, Shelton tipped the scales at 342-pounds, but Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick wanted him to lose weight to improve his quickness. Shelton turned back to Jui-Jitsu to help him control his weight, and was down to 325-pounds ahead of the 2019 season.
“I felt a lot quicker,” Shelton said to the Boston globe. “I felt like he’s (Belichick) seen my goal this year as far as how much my weight plays a part in my approach to the season. We agreed on 330 as a good goal, and I’ve been maintaining that this whole offseason.”
Shelton would go on to have a career season in 2019, racking up 61 tackles and three sacks. This past offseason, Shelton has continued his Jiu-Jitsu training and the Lions are hoping the results continue as well.
