Shane Richards Used Boxing to Get Back Into Shape for Upcoming CFL Season
STILLWATER – As I was doing my morning scroll through social media on Friday, a name popped up that I have seen since the 2018 season: Shane Richards. The former Cowboy offensive lineman out of Calgary, Alberta, Canada and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 CFL Draft is ready to get back to it after suffering an injury that sidelined him most of his rookie season.
The Argonauts website put out an article on Richards’ journey to the CFL and getting back into shape after suffering the injury in training camp prior to the start of the 2019 season.
Richards was drafted No. 1 overall by the Toronto Argonauts following his senior season in Stillwater in 2018. When he arrived in Toronto for training camp, he weighed in around 325-pounds. But by the time training camp was over, and after suffering what basically amounted to a season-ending groin injury, his weight had jumped up to close to 350-pounds. The article says Richards gave credit to Oklahoma State’s strength and conditioning staff as the Argonauts’ training camp wasn’t anywhere near as physically demanding as his time at Oklahoma State.
If an article put out by a team in the Canadian Football League says its training camp isn’t close to as physically demanding to Oklahoma State’s training, you know Rob Glass and his staff are among the best in the business.
“After I got the injury it went into a deeper pit,” Richards confessed to Argonauts.ca. “I was at my heaviest I think when I was leaving at the end of the season, I think I was at 350, give or take.”
So, what did he do to get back into shape? Richards took up boxing. Not only did he get back into shape, but he dropped a whopping 75-pounds in the process, dropping down to 275, a weight he hasn’t been at since he was a sophomore in high school.
“I do like being in the ring, a lot,” said Richards. “There’s a lot of crossover between boxing and offensive line play. The mental approach that most good boxers have is pretty much like offensive linemen when it comes to angles and how you want to strike or punch.”
Even though he was a No. 1 overall pick, Richards said in the article he understands the need to continue to get better because there’s always going to be talented guys coming onto the organization.
“That’s the name of the game, I know that,” said Richards. “I don’t shy away from competition; I never have, and I never will. I want to win. I’m willing to compete with whoever it is and wherever it is (guard or tackle) and I’m sure they’re going to come in with the same type of attitude. The teams that I’ve been with that have that attitude, especially on the offensive and defensive line, have typically had really good seasons.”
This is a great article about Richards journey to being a professional football player and how he’s made his way back from injury and a weight gain that very easily could’ve bounced him out of the league. Take some time to read it and give a little praise to Mike Gundy and Co. for instilling a work ethic on and off the field.
