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Introduction
This Friday marks the return of Penn State Football’s ‘Lift for Life’ charity event after a one-year hiatus because of COVID. For those not familiar with annual philanthropic endeavor, Lift for Life raises funds and awareness for the treatment of rare diseases by putting the football team through a number of physical/strength challenges. In 2019, the Nittany Lions generated close to $51,000 in donations during Lift for Life.
By the way, for those interested in donating to this year’s event, follow this link.
Unlike years past, when Penn State players participated in a litany of drills and lifts, the 2021 version of Lift for Life will focus on one event: a 225-pound bench press competition between nine football position groups – QBs vs. OL vs. LBs, etc. If that particular amount rings a bell, 225 pounds is also the official weight used for the bench press at the annual NFL Scouting Combine.
So, as an avid stat person and weightlifter, this got me thinking about the purpose of the bench press, how data and performance of the bench has changed (if at all) over the years, and how the number of 225-pound reps put up at the combine correlate to future NFL success.
