Rey Maualuga: 100 Days Sober, 15 Pounds Lighter, Ready to Elevate His Game

by BeerRun on May 11, 2010 8:33 PM EDT

What TennBengalFan said. An excellent article by NFL.com's Steve Wyche here in the midst of dead zone reruns like "Is Marvin Lewis coming back?" and "Is Carson's elbow OK?" If this piece doesn't fire you up for 2010, you're dead. A taste:

To most of us, May 11 is just another day. For Cincinnati Bengals' second-year linebacker Rey Maualuga, Tuesday represents his 100th consecutive day of sobriety. For someone who's had a lengthy drinking problem, 100 days without slipping is a long time. For Maualuga, those 100 days are also the infancy of a new life.

"My body never felt so great. I never looked so good," Maualuga said by phone Monday, on the eve of the Bengals' first offseason OTA practice. "I am so anxious for OTAs to start up. Now I can hopefully compare myself to last year when I wasn't able to run 10 or 12 plays within a drive and not be incredibly tired. All my focus is on my body and how much stronger I can get, how much smarter I can be and being a reliable teammate."

In an candid interview, Maualuga, the long-maned 23-year-old, discussed how a January car accident in Kentucky that led to a DUI arrest and a stint in a rehab facility, unveiled his alcoholism. The second-year player out of USC has not had a drink since. Tuesday morning, he took the field weighing 250 pounds -- 15 fewer than when he went into rehab -- and with his first semblance of six-pack abs.

Sounds like Rey is out to become the guy we all hoped the Bengals had stolen in the second round last year. Sweet, sweet music to my ears. And to Rey: congratulations. I have family who have gone through the same wringer, and none of them have described it as easy. Hang in there, we're all behind you.

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Yeah Rey

We’re rooting for you!

by pcneef on May 11, 2010 9:44 PM EDT reply actions

+1

by WHYUS!! on May 11, 2010 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions

He was who the Lions should've taken over Pettigrew. They made a mistake. Or was it Ray's mistakes the reason we passed?

I bleed gatorade and poop pigskins

by Yardpenalty.com on May 11, 2010 10:33 PM EDT reply actions

Rey Rey

Man I love me some Maualuga, here,s to him having a 100 tackle and 3 int and 3 forced fumble season, hell a 120 tackle season.

by James Schmid the great on May 11, 2010 10:52 PM EDT reply actions

Congrats to Rey

by jim0ijk on May 11, 2010 11:24 PM EDT reply actions

Pro Bowl Year

With the list of tough teams we have this year, our Defense can really stand out and make a name for themselves. Rey is at the top of the list to be a Pro Bowler this year.

by UpStateMike on May 12, 2010 3:11 AM EDT reply actions

Operation run down Rice

by quickslant on May 12, 2010 8:41 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Congrats Rey

You are inspiration to everyone who has battled addiction or who has been affected by someone who has battled an addiction. I have personally battled an addiction from which I have been sober for 4 years now. It is a very hard thing to do but, it is the right thing to do. You will be able to reach your potential as a Football player and more importantly as a Man. We are all rooting for you. I believe he will become a much improved player if he stays this focused, and I believe he will. I can’t wait to see how much this affects his play. I believe he will be much quicker on the field after losing the weight. I don’t believe it will affect his strength at all.

by C1ncy4Life on May 12, 2010 9:26 AM EDT reply actions

He probably lost 25 pounds of fat and gained 10 lbs of muscle.

Alcohol has a ton of calories. a bottle of captain is pretty sweet stuff and is probably what it takes to get him drunk.

Think of what 100 days without a rum hangover is going to do for him as well.

by UpStateMike on May 12, 2010 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Yea and if he is anything like most people

Then when he did get drunk he wanted to eat a lot. So add on the calories from eating a huge meal that is really unhealthy. I look for him to be as tough and strong as we saw last year and a bit quicker. If that happens Rey will be SICK! I hope the NFL takes into consideration all he has done on his own if they suspend him. He has taken all the necessary steps without being ordered too. I hope that gets his punishment reduced from what it would have been. That and the fact that he stepped up and confronted the situation like a Man should.

by C1ncy4Life on May 12, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Congrats Rey!

I’m looking forward to seeing a leaner meaner you next year!

by The Dealio on May 12, 2010 11:52 AM EDT reply actions

glad to hear your taking things srsly and hanging in there strong. Stay focused Rey, we know you will lead us to glory. You’ve given us something to believe in, a hero…. make us proud Mr. Maualuga

3 yards and a pile of dust

by Hudepohl Dey on May 12, 2010 12:00 PM EDT reply actions

I think the other teams are scared of Rey

Hell I think I’m scared of Rey, now. Dude was a Beast last year. Imagine him now after he said that he wasn’t doing any of the things he should have been doing as a Pro. First off way to be a Man and take responsibility. Second please don’t kill anybody on the field. We need you all season!

by C1ncy4Life on May 12, 2010 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks for the love

I found this article on accident, but a great read!

In Zim We Trust......Collaros for Heisman

by TennBengalfan on May 12, 2010 2:06 PM EDT reply actions

Great job Rey!

Rey came in with instant love from the fans, some may say for really no reason, but the way he played last year won me over for sure and the fact that he has turned his life around really impresses me, I wish him all the best on the field and more importantly off the field, WHO DEY

by whodeydoc on May 12, 2010 3:41 PM EDT reply actions

I told myself twice....

That I’d quit drinkin since I first read this article.

by quickslant on May 12, 2010 8:36 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Alcohol & Weed

Cheers! Hope he can keep it up. Injury & pain management has more to play in atheletes alcohol & weed habits than the NFL wants to admit. It’s great that a player fights an addiction as a social issue but when the season starts & Rey is flying around in the reckless abandon we enjoy his sobriety will be tested.

by Vman in Germany on May 12, 2010 9:40 PM EDT reply actions

I'm proud to say I'm one of the last bartenders to serve Rey.

The day before his accident he was at Cheddars in Florence and I waited on him.. Serving him a few margaritas. Good work Rey it sounds like he is finding serinity in sobriety

by Michael Rheault on May 13, 2010 3:43 AM EDT reply actions