Vince Wilfork was once a circus ringmaster, and 6 other facts you might have missed
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
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Wilfork was a serious field athlete before turning to football. He was a state champion in shot put and discus and held the indoor record in shot put at Miami, which stood until 2013.
His high school highlight video was a horror movie for his opponents:
It’s like watching a giant play with children.
Wilfork helped rescue someone from a car after the 2015 AFC Championship game
Wilfork was returning home from Gillette Stadium following the win and noticed an overturned SUV on the side of the road. Before responders arrived, he jumped out of his car, ran to give assistance, and did what he could.
When it was over, he was as humble as can be:
“I think anybody would do the same thing, I saw the lady in there and asked her if she was OK, could she move. She grabbed my hand, and kind of talked her through [it]. It wasn’t a big deal; it was seeing someone that needed help and helping. I was just trying to get her to safety.”
Vince wiggling his butt while grilling ribs is one of the greatest GIFs of all time:
Wilfork loves breakfast more than any other meal:
He was the honorary ringmaster at the Big Apple Circus in 2007:
Nothing makes me more upset than knowing that no video exists of this, but Wilfork led the circus for one night, benefiting The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. I’m sure he was an excellent ringmaster.
Vince hates boiled ribs
Transitioning into his role as a Kingsford spokesperson, Wilfork proclaimed himself as the rib ambassador to the world. He was also utterly mystified why anyone would ever boil ribs. This is a concept I’m firmly behind:
We’ll miss Vince Wilfork in the NFL -- but his grilled meat deal means we won’t be without him for long.
