Huge OL left football for powerlifting
program, and his name would be lumped in with several others about a month later when Narduzzi announced his offseason departures.
Suddenly,he was a regular Pitt student with all sorts of free time. In August, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in administrative justice, and he now is a sales associate for Webster’s Fitness Products by day. By night, he’s chasing a powerlifting dream that technically began with a meet last April, but really long before that.
“Michael was 2 or 3 months old in a baby carriage hanging on the lat pulldown,” says his mom, Nanette, a personal trainer herself who made the lifestyle an “in my blood kind of thing” for her son.
Even while playing football, Grimm always looked forwardto the offseason. Sure, heloved the thrill of game day, butonce the games were done, that meant more time in the weightroom.
He’s spending more time there now than ever. In August, in his second official competition, all he did to mark the occasion was break three world records for the International Powerlifting Association. Grimm’s 740-pound deadlift and 1,080pound three-lift total (squat, bench-press and deadlift) still rank No. 1 among the super-heavyweight category of raw junior amateurs, men aged 20-23 who weigh more than 308 pounds and are natural, as in drug-tested.
Grimm’s ultimate goal is to eventually become the strongest man in the world, while steering clear of extra supplements and steroids.
“Aw, absolutely,” Grimm says with a grin. “I mean, why would you not try to get to the top?”
While Grimm acknowledges that his newfound love for powerlifting has helped fill the void of football, he insists he doesn’t derive much motivation from never living up to outside expectations. He just thinks about trying to be the best.
Asked if he lost his love for football, he pauses and says he has to think about that, settling on an answer of “yes and no.” He notes the toll it took on his body, then gives a self-aware chuckle because his new mission is trying to lift thousands of pounds in a day instead.
“For me, being mediocre, being average was never an option,” says Grimm, who was 200 pounds by fourth grade and an even 6 feet by sixth grade. “Especially because I’ve never looked average, so why would I carry on a life that was average?”
The “average” thing to do when he fell behind on the depth chart at Pitt might have been to transfer. He admits the thought crossed his mind but claims he never seriously considered it. As he figured, it would just be an excuse, and most of his teammates had gone through plenty of adversity, too. Plus he went to Pitt for an education, not just football.
But those same teammates are what make Grimm most nostalgic. There’s the sleeve on his arm, completed by the tattoo artist referred to him by veteran upperclassmen J.P. Holtz and Darryl Render. There’s the occasional pain in his knees from constant beatings by the quick hands and powerful thighs of defensive end Ejuan Price, who was as relentless in practice as he was in games.
Still on the team now, there’s Chris Clark and Colton Lively, his workout buddies when all three were hurt last season. There’s George Aston, who can confidently assume the mantle of strongest on the Panthers now that Grimm’s gone. And most of all, there’s Mike Herndon, the do-anything lineman who was Grimm’s best friend and roommate since they were freshmen, since the day Grimm walked into their dorm room with a 5-inch Mohawk and started pounding on the door because his key was stuck.
“I can’t believe I didn’t scare him away,” Grimm remembers.
He gets downright wistful thinking about that first year, he and Herndon going everywhere as a pair, from class to practice and eventually to their off-campus apartment they shared until this past July. Even living together, they didn’t see each other all that much once Grimm left the team.
“I mean, that’s who I thought about. That’s what I wrestled with,” Grimm says. “We literally did everything together, and you know, obviously he’s busy doing his thing, but it kinda [stinks] for me.”
Grimm still keeps in touch with his “brothers” now and again, be it through social media or phone calls or text messages, and they think about him, too. Redshirt junior guard Alex Bookser was asked if he stays in contact with former linemates Dorian Johnson and Adam Bisnowaty, both in the NFL, as well as Grimm.
“Yeah, I try to. All three of ’em are doing great,” Bookser said, “especially Mike. His new love of weightlifting — well, not new, he’s always been into it, but he’s excelling at what he’s doing right now. Miss him a lot.”
Perhaps it’s inconsequential whether Grimm left football or football left him. In April, he’ll have his next meet, another couple of tons to push, press and pull. Until then, he’ll go to the gym and lose himself in the heavy metal and the heavier iron, maybe thinking about what could’ve been and once was, but maybe not.
“I found a new path, and I think it’s the path that fits me the best,” Grimm says, then laughs. “I mean, I’ll always have two years of eligibility left. I could go back when I’m 30 or something. I guess we’ll see.”