HARRISBURG -- One man cannot carry an entire football team.
What about lifting three or four players then? We think Bentz Tozer can do that.
Tozer is not only the strength and conditioning coach for the Harrisburg Stampede; he Is also a world-class powerlifter. He doesn't brag about it, however.
Is it possible that a coach can be stronger than his own players?
"I guess so," said Tozer. "I mean, I haven't been in competition with these guys. They're training for football; that's a little different than powerlifting."
When Bentz is not carrying his whistle, he's often raising massive stacks of weight. He is fueled by an explosive mixture of tiny muscle fibers; adrenaline; and full-blown emotion.
"He's an intense man," said Stampede head coach Bernie Nowotarski of Tozer.
Tozer is also 52-years-old. He believes he has set more than a dozen world records; including a 560 lb. deadlift on February 21, 2009 -- a record which still stands for the 45-49 age group, according to the International Powerlifting Association.
He's also been videotaped doing a 765 lb. squat -- a lift most athletes half his age can't do.
"Can he out-lift everyone on this team?" CBS 21 News Sports Director Jason Bristol asked a couple of Stampede players.
"Pretty much," said defensive end Fearon Wright. "700-something (pound) squat? I thought my 500 lb. was great. That shames every man I personally know in the weight room."
"I plead the fifth," added linebacker Jermaine Thaxton.
"I have no comment," Thaxton said with a laugh.
Tozer works out at his own gym, Max Fitness, in Susquehanna Township. He'll use 35-pound chains for a little extra resistance during a routine training session. He has plan for himself -- and others. "It's very easy to over train; but you don't want to under train, either," said Tozer.
Tozer has found the right balance; he's even dropped a few pounds himself.
As for powerlifting? Bentz Tozer is still going strong.
One man cannot carry an entire football team; but this one plans on competing in powerlifting when he's 70- or even 80-years-old.
"Definitely, that's what I hope to do; (to) become more and more fit as I get older," Tozer said.
"That's the goal."
Some video used in this story is courtesy of YouTube/bonsuz1972.
