The man called 'Groot' is trying to become tallest NFL player in more than 40 years

SmashMouth · 08-15-2018, 10:57 PM

One of the best parts about being Nate Wozniak, according to Nate Wozniak, is the nicknames.

They come easily for the New Orleans Saints' rookie offensive tackle, because it is not often a player comes around who towers over the rest of the large humans on the roster -- and yes, at 6-foot-10, Wozniak's helmet is easy to spot amongst the rest of the trees in the Saints offensive line group.

Wozniak's current favorite nom du jour: Groot, a reference to the large, tree-like character in the "Guardians of the Galaxy" series.

"Some people think I sound like him, too," Wozniak said in his measured baritone voice. "So that's a funny one."

Like the Groot character, Wozniak is a rarity. Though size may be part of the job requirement for an NFL offensive lineman, it is usually not the type of size Wozniak brings to the table.

According to Pro Football Reference, there have only been two players in NFL history to stand 6-foot-10 or taller and make a regular-season NFL roster -- Morris Stroud, who stood 6-foot-10 and played for the Chiefs from 1969-74, and Richard Sligh, who became the only 7-foot player in NFL history when he played one season with the then-AFL Oakland Raiders in 1967.

"I really try not to think about it," Wozniak said. I feel like I'm another tackle out there just trying to do his job and make a spot."

read more on NOLA

08-15-2018, 10:57 PM	#1
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,535 Blog Entries: 29	The man called 'Groot' is trying to become tallest NFL player in more than 40 years One of the best parts about being Nate Wozniak, according to Nate Wozniak, is the nicknames. They come easily for the New Orleans Saints' rookie offensive tackle, because it is not often a player comes around who towers over the rest of the large humans on the roster -- and yes, at 6-foot-10, Wozniak's helmet is easy to spot amongst the rest of the trees in the Saints offensive line group. Wozniak's current favorite nom du jour: Groot, a reference to the large, tree-like character in the "Guardians of the Galaxy" series. "Some people think I sound like him, too," Wozniak said in his measured baritone voice. "So that's a funny one." Like the Groot character, Wozniak is a rarity. Though size may be part of the job requirement for an NFL offensive lineman, it is usually not the type of size Wozniak brings to the table. According to Pro Football Reference, there have only been two players in NFL history to stand 6-foot-10 or taller and make a regular-season NFL roster -- Morris Stroud, who stood 6-foot-10 and played for the Chiefs from 1969-74, and Richard Sligh, who became the only 7-foot player in NFL history when he played one season with the then-AFL Oakland Raiders in 1967. "I really try not to think about it," Wozniak said. I feel like I'm another tackle out there just trying to do his job and make a spot." read more on NOLA Attached Thumbnails