April 29--Elgin bodybuilder Marc Lobliner said he always dreamed of playing professional football, but was never good enough.
So Lobliner seized the opportunity to face former NFL player Tony Simmons, who hails from the South Side, in a military-style obstacle course and endurance challenge on Thursday's episode of "American Grit."
"For me, this is an opportunity to go up against someone who did something I could never do," Lobliner, 35, told WWE Superstar John Cena, who hosts the Fox competition.
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"And best him," Cena said.
Simmons, 41, got off to an early lead in The Circus obstacle course, which included climbing a large net and wooden ladder and walking across a snowy beam. Wrestler Cameron Zagami, 22, finished the course second.
Both were able to delay their start in the endurance challenge, which required the three competitors to balance on a post near their camp in the cold Pacific Northwest.
Though all three contestants wobbled while standing on the post, Lobliner was the first to fall off and get eliminated from the show.
"Losing today sucked. I need that money, but I set forth what I wanted to do and that showed that I could compete with the best of them. I'm proud I gave it all I got," Lobliner said. "You don't know what The Circus is going to bring. For me to step onto a three-inch post is essentially like putting a bowling ball on a golf tee."
Thirteen contestants are left to compete for up to $1 million. "American Grit" airs 8 p.m. Thursdays.
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