After opting out of the 2020 NFL season last July because his size and history with asthma made him a risk for additional complications from COVID-19, Vikings nose tackle Michael Pierce got what he called "an early snapshot of retirement."
Pierce, who had been the Vikings' top free agent addition in March last year, heeded co-defensive coordinator Andre Patterson's advice to hire a personal chef. He used Sunday morning Peloton rides, winter CrossFit sessions and a return to his power-lifting background ("Squatober — I got to try that for the first time," he said) to keep his weight down.