"a Herculean effort..."or "a whole other story."
May 29, 2006 11:11 AM   Subscribe

Robertson Says He Leg-Pressed 2,000 Pounds. I think I'll wait for the YouTube link before passing judgment, lest I be judged...NewsFilter, of course.
posted by pax digita (84 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Fascinating.
posted by jack_mo at 11:13 AM on May 29, 2006


"There is no way on earth Robertson leg presses 2,000 pounds. That would mean a 76-year-old man broke the all-time Florida State University leg press record by 665 pounds over Dan Kendra. 665 pounds. Further, when he set the record, they had to modify the leg press machine to fit 1,335 pounds of weight. Plus, Kendra's capillaries in his eyes burst. Burst. Where in the world did Robertson even find a machine that could hold 2,000 pounds at one time? And how does he still have vision?"

[CBS SportsLine | May 22, 2006]
posted by ericb at 11:15 AM on May 29, 2006


Pat Robertson make yet another nutball claim, film at 11...zzzzzzzzzzz....
posted by doctor_negative at 11:18 AM on May 29, 2006


2,000 lbs? Likely not, but leg press is not a difficult lift for demonstrating "feats of strength." I recall a time in high school when I could leg press 650 lbs in the manner described in the article, despite weighing only 140 lbs, and could lift about 850 when I was up to 175lbs. The range of motion of a leg-press machine is so limited, and focuses on controlled linear motion of the most powerful muscle group in the body. Double AA division football players at that school were doing sets of 800 lbs. Now ask Robertson to squat even 1/4 that weight and his mangled lifeless body would be resting gently under a pile of cast-iron. As an aside, I think those machines aren't designed to hold more than 1,200 lbs or so. To put 2,000 lbs on them is asking for an eventual catastrophic failure.
posted by mrmojoflying at 11:22 AM on May 29, 2006


I have leg-pressed over 3,000 lbs., cumulatively over my lifetime.

I'm sure Pat's glad for you spreading his meme! Just don't look...
posted by Eideteker at 11:23 AM on May 29, 2006


God works in mysterious ways.
posted by Rumple at 11:23 AM on May 29, 2006


"There is no way on earth Robertson leg presses 2,000 pounds. That would mean a 76-year-old man broke the all-time Florida State University leg press record by 665 pounds over Dan Kendra. 665 pounds.

Technically, Robertson is on a sled, not a press -- you can lift much heavier loads on sleds, but still, 2000lbs is absurd.
posted by mrmojoflying at 11:23 AM on May 29, 2006


A CBN spokesman claims the photo is from 2003 even though the date stamp on the photo says 8/1/1994.

This 200lb. fish tale's taken a bit of water over the years...
posted by Smart Dalek at 11:24 AM on May 29, 2006


The Lamest Exercise in the World:
Why Pat Robertson should stop bragging about the leg press. from Slate.

Kind of a gotcha moment for me, because I used to brag about leg-pressing 500 pounds when I couldn't do shit with the bench press. Whoops.
posted by philosophistry at 11:27 AM on May 29, 2006


What a fucking fool. If he did 2000lbs, then he'd obviously have no problem demonstrating 1500lbs in public, right?
posted by sharksandwich at 11:32 AM on May 29, 2006


We're forgetting who were dealing with here. The claim is absolutely true. Why? Because he said it's true. Any evidence to the contrary must be ignored. This is Christian dominated scAmeria. It's not a lie when they do it.
posted by rougy at 11:34 AM on May 29, 2006


Fark
posted by MarshallPoe at 11:34 AM on May 29, 2006


Flagged as noise.
posted by dgaicun at 11:37 AM on May 29, 2006




The truest thing to ever come out of his mouth.
posted by delmoi at 11:42 AM on May 29, 2006



posted by Wolfdog at 11:43 AM on May 29, 2006


Flagged as flagged, but who wouldn't be after pressing a ton.
posted by mrmojoflying at 11:44 AM on May 29, 2006




"The CBN Web site attributes Robertson's energy in part to "his age-defying protein shake." The site offers a recipe for the shake, which contains ingredients such as soy protein isolate, whey protein isolate, flaxseed oil and apple cider vinegar."

Old people are wacky.
posted by Drunken_munky at 11:46 AM on May 29, 2006


i'm pretty sure it was an honest mistake ... he visited a winery and leg pressed 2,000 grapes and his publicist got it all wrong
posted by pyramid termite at 11:47 AM on May 29, 2006


Does anyone still believe this nutjob? (Hint: 29% of Americans approve of George Bush's presidency.)
posted by leftcoastbob at 11:50 AM on May 29, 2006


Does lifting 20 pounds 100 times (over several days) count? I'll bet Pat thinks so...
posted by wavespy at 11:51 AM on May 29, 2006


From all the negativity in this thread we can clearly see that christianity is under attack in America.
posted by Bovine Love at 11:56 AM on May 29, 2006


He had to be juiced.
posted by horsewithnoname at 12:01 PM on May 29, 2006


Pat Robertson is the new Sri Chinmoy!
posted by kozad at 12:06 PM on May 29, 2006


"Old people are wacky."

That's it, I'm calling the AARP... you best start running if you hear the distinctive sound of a herd of walkers behind you....

I think what you meant to say is "Greedy TV Christian evangelists are wacky."
posted by HuronBob at 12:06 PM on May 29, 2006


Doesn't he peddle enough B.S. in his day job?
posted by brain_drain at 12:08 PM on May 29, 2006


The Madeline Albright bit is my feelgood link for the day. Good for her.
posted by gimonca at 12:16 PM on May 29, 2006


Why this is important: After 30+ years of selling all kinds of faith-based bull-shit (FBBS, a great new acronym), he has finally made a claim that even many of his followers can see is a factual, easily demonstrable BIG LIE. It means ol' Pat is slipping and will soon be able to be safely disregarded as a no-longer-dangerous nutcase.
posted by wendell at 12:21 PM on May 29, 2006


The answer is obvious. It is not Mr. Robertson who is performing the feat, but Jesus chanelling his power through him.
posted by notcostello at 12:23 PM on May 29, 2006


And how does he still have vision?

Meh. My sister burst a ton of caps when she was giving birth. Happens to some; not to others.

I think Rumple has it. If you accept a religious worldview, you're way beyond being able to out and out call a religious representative a liar on something like this. It's a miracle. And miracles don't have to be reproducible, by him or anyone else.

on preview, what notcostello said.
posted by dreamsign at 12:29 PM on May 29, 2006


God works in mysterious wayeights.
posted by Kickstart70 at 12:53 PM on May 29, 2006


The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.

- Proverbs 11:1
posted by mr_crash_davis at 12:57 PM on May 29, 2006 [1 favorite]


I agree with those who think that ol' Pat is a wacko.

However, this reminds me of a story that my sisters and I keep to ourselves a lot. Why? Because people always call us crazy when we claim that it's true. So I will tell it as a fairy tale.

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful green and yellow 1941 Ford Delivery jacked up in a garage full of wonder and delight. A man, who some may refer to as the father of Bradth27 ( the elf who lives in the red forest), was under the car looking for fabulous treasure.

And then all at once, there was a terrible sound, and all in the little mud hut near the edge of town came running. The children stood around the automobile, staring at the feet of their father. Oh what could be done? What could be done?

Look! In the distance! a tiny little woman weak from dialysis treatments! The wife of the trapped man, running to his aid! Behind her, a band of fairies, singing songs of love and loss!

The slight woman, sick with grief and trembling with emotion, grabs the side of the car. The children look at each other in disbelief as their father crawls out from under the automobile!

"Oh, Thumbletina, what has happened here? Can it be true that this little woman we call Mom has truly lifted the car?"

"Yes! Yes! And she was aided by a swarm of magical fairies!"

And they lived happily ever after.
posted by bradth27 at 1:02 PM on May 29, 2006




Alas, when in thy sleep I bound thee with them to try thy truth, I cried, "The Philistines be upon thee, Samson!" Then did suspicion wake thee; how didst thou rend the feeble ties! Thou fearest nought, what shouldst thou fear? Thy power is more than mortal, none can hurt thee; thy bones are brass, thy sinews are iron. Ten thousand spears are like the summer grass; an army of mighty men are as flocks in the valleys; what canst thou fear?

William Blake, "Samson"
posted by bukharin at 1:03 PM on May 29, 2006


My sister burst a ton of caps when she was giving birth

Not nearly as surprising as her actually having a Glock in the delivery room.
posted by CynicalKnight at 1:06 PM on May 29, 2006 [1 favorite]


Mom has truly lifted the car?

It's possible she simply lifted the body of the vehicle higher with the help of it's springs, without actually making a wheel leave the ground. On most cars you can usually get an inch or two before the spring stops assisting.
posted by CynicalKnight at 1:11 PM on May 29, 2006


He does this becaose he can't talk about how large or small his divine nimrod appears to be in the mirror.
posted by alteredcarbon at 1:16 PM on May 29, 2006


I had assumed y'all were talking about some other Pat Robertson until I checked the article. Woah. That's some crazy talk he's got going on.

I mean, not only is it crazy, but it's so... random. Why not claim that he ate a hundred hamburgers? It seems arbitrary.
posted by GuyZero at 1:33 PM on May 29, 2006


his divine nimrod

Which is, of course, the source of his age-defying protein shakes.
posted by mediareport at 1:43 PM on May 29, 2006


Pat Robertson leg-presses coal into diamonds.

(Also, they're hilariously sticking to their guns, while at the same time saying that pressing 2000 pounds isn't really that big a deal.)
posted by aaronetc at 1:45 PM on May 29, 2006


The thing is the man is a pathological liar. Because he wraps himself in a cloak of godliness he sometimes gets away with it, until he lies about something truly stupid like how much weight he can lift.
posted by Nelson at 1:57 PM on May 29, 2006


This reminds me of Mao swimming the Yangtze.
posted by Freen at 2:09 PM on May 29, 2006


Yeah, but can he hammer a six-inch spike through a board with his penis?
posted by NationalKato at 2:22 PM on May 29, 2006


I'm waiting for him to smite a thousand Iraqis with the jawbone of an ass.
posted by bcveen at 2:26 PM on May 29, 2006


I once moved the world with a large lever.
posted by substrate at 2:27 PM on May 29, 2006


Wait, I feel I must correct my story so that people don't think I've been speaking falsehoods.

The lever wasn't that large.
posted by substrate at 2:28 PM on May 29, 2006


"Yeah, but can he hammer a six-inch spike through a board with his penis?"

A girl's gotta have her standards.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 2:30 PM on May 29, 2006


That's it, I'm calling the AARP... you best start running moving soon if you hear the distinctive sound of a herd of walkers behind you....
posted by econous at 2:38 PM on May 29, 2006


Paraphrased with love from chucknorrisfacts.com

When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Pat Robertson.

Pat Robertson doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.

There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Pat Robertson has allowed to live.

Outer space exists because it's afraid to be on the same planet with Pat Robertson.

Pat Robertson does not sleep. He waits.

Pat Robertson is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.

Pat Robertson is the reason why Waldo is hiding.

Pat Robertson counted to infinity - twice.

When Pat Robertson does a pushup, he isn’t lifting himself up, he’s pushing the Earth down.

Pat Robertson is so fast, he can run around the world and punch himself in the back of the head.

Pat Robertson’ hand is the only hand that can beat a Royal Flush.

There is no such thing as global warming. Pat Robertson was cold, so he turned the sun up.

Pat Robertson can slam a revolving door.

Contrary to popular belief, America is not a democracy, it is a Patatorship.
posted by CynicalKnight at 2:38 PM on May 29, 2006 [1 favorite]


I think he needs to re-negotiate with God if this is the superpower he got.
posted by clockzero at 3:03 PM on May 29, 2006


A religious figure caught in a lie? Frankly i'm shocked. It's this sort of thing that could smear the credibility of all religions. If this isn't true, how can we be certain of the other things that these Evangelists have told us? How can we know that Jesus walked on water? Or that God created Eve out of Adam's rib.

And what of the other public figures we are supposed to trust?

Personally, i'm holding out for the Robertson vs Falwell leg press competition. That is the only way we can know who's God is right and therefore who we should send our money to.
posted by quin at 3:05 PM on May 29, 2006


You forgot:

Pat Robertson is 1/8th Cherokee. This has nothing to do with ancestry -- the man ate a fucking Indian!
posted by mazola at 3:05 PM on May 29, 2006


Pat most likely didn't leg press anywhere near 2k...but I would wager he most certainly made quite a mess under the strain, what with all that protein shake gobbelty-gook coursing through his veins.
posted by Cedric at 3:32 PM on May 29, 2006


Yeah, but can he hammer a six-inch spike through a board with his penis?

This reminds me of a spam I see flit through my inbox from time to time, where the subject line says "You've always wanted to use it as a billiard cue stick..." It always cracks me up.

Now if Robertson could do that while pressing 2000lbs, I might be impressed.
posted by Zinger at 3:58 PM on May 29, 2006


More importantly, if I buy enough of these protein shakes, can I get a set of Miracle Blade 2™s? I'd love some Miracle Blade 2™s if they had the good word of the Reverend™ behind them.
posted by arialblack at 4:09 PM on May 29, 2006


""You've always wanted to use it as a billiard cue stick..." "

wouldn't the chalk really clog things up?

I had kidney stones once, and "blockage" is just.plain.not.fun!
posted by HuronBob at 4:13 PM on May 29, 2006


With the right system of pulleys, I can leg press almost any amount of weight.
posted by Sukiari at 4:21 PM on May 29, 2006


Here's eight-time Mr. Olympia winner Ronnie Coleman leg-pressing 2300 pounds (via YouTube). Given that Pat Robertson looks nothing at all like this man, I think it's safe to say it didn't happen.
posted by hoboscratch at 4:32 PM on May 29, 2006


This is Christian dominated scAmeria. It's not a lie when they do it.
posted by rougy at 11:34 AM PST on May 29

Before this 'scAmerica' meme takes hold any further, could anyone who thinks it's remotely hip, politically edgy, or otherwise appealing to anyone but the most sophomoric hipster doofuses please run outside and kill themselves?
posted by docpops at 4:54 PM on May 29, 2006


put simply, in deference to you, kent, there is no way that pat robertson pressed 2000 pounds. going further, it's doubtful he could operate powered machinery that was capable of lifting 2000 pounds, protein shake or no.
posted by Hat Maui at 5:00 PM on May 29, 2006


dreamsign writes "Meh. My sister burst a ton of caps when she was giving birth. Happens to some; not to others. "

I burst capillaries in my eye once throwing up. Not fun, but a hell of a lot easier than childbirth.
posted by Songdog at 5:33 PM on May 29, 2006


wouldn't the chalk really clog things up?

HuronBob, you owe me a keyboard and a screen.
posted by Zinger at 5:43 PM on May 29, 2006


docpops has declared himself the God-Annointed decider of all that is "remotely hip, politically edgy or otherwise appealing to anyone but the most sophomoric hipster doofuses", thus joining the same category of Americans as Pat Robertson: the scAmericans. The irony is overwhelming.
posted by wendell at 5:57 PM on May 29, 2006


He did do 1000lbs infront of witnesses in the article. He said he did 2000lbs once. I guess it could happen.
posted by IronWolve at 6:12 PM on May 29, 2006


Now ask Robertson to squat even 1/4 that weight and his mangled lifeless body would be resting gently under a pile of cast-iron.

One can dream.

Pat Robertson leg-presses coal into diamonds.

No, that's the job of his holy anus.

"Yeah, but can he hammer a six-inch spike through a board with his penis?"

Yeah, but can he hammer his six-inch penis through a board like a spike?

scAmerica

Interpretation, please?
posted by five fresh fish at 6:23 PM on May 29, 2006


there is no way that pat robertson pressed 2000 pounds.

This is true. When a machine is created that can support 2k lbs I will give this more thought. 1,000 lbs on a machine like Robo has is pretty much the max.
posted by j-urb at 6:26 PM on May 29, 2006


I burst capillaries in my eye once throwing up.

i know someone who told me she threw up so hard the puke went through her eyes ... considering it was mostly jack daniels, it was a nasty experience involving hospitalization

she should have stuck to the protein shakes, i think
posted by pyramid termite at 6:54 PM on May 29, 2006


I burst capillaries in my eye once throwing up

I did that also, petty shameful.
posted by fire&wings at 7:13 PM on May 29, 2006


Sure, Pat Robertson says lots of kooky things that people love to snort derisively at, but if you're gonna get your dander up, why not get upset about the really sordid side of his business dealings, like the scam Operation Blessing?

The leg press thing is laughable-- but focus on the underlying truth -- He's utter scum.
posted by Devils Rancher at 7:20 PM on May 29, 2006


You infidels just have to realize! Gaaaaaawd, when not smiting the U.S. for our shameful endorsement of feminism and homosexuality via terrorist attacks (he works through Islamofascist murderers, donchaknow) rampaging tornadoes, epoch-level flooding or hurricances that destroy millions of homes and take thousands of lives, is actively involved in helping an elderly nutjob to lift heavy weights for fun.

Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaawd is good. Praaaaaaaaaaaise his name!
posted by Dreama at 7:26 PM on May 29, 2006


kozad: Pat Robertson is the new Sri Chinmoy!

Damn it, I wanted to make a Sri Chinmoy joke!
posted by The Monkey at 7:39 PM on May 29, 2006


I am a Christian (a Latter-Day Saint to be precise), and I think I speak for most Christians when I say I do not want to be associated with the likes of Pat Robertson or George Bush.
posted by rinkjustice at 8:10 PM on May 29, 2006


I am a Christian (a Latter-Day Saint to be precise), and I think I speak for most Christians when I say I do not want to be associated with the likes of Pat Robertson or George Bush.

I think it's a bit of a strech to call mormon's christians. Theologically it's as distinct as Islam.
posted by delmoi at 8:35 PM on May 29, 2006


youtube video
posted by _aa_ at 8:44 PM on May 29, 2006


OK...now that we've got all this weightlifting for Jesus stuff out of the way, let's just let "rinkjustice" and "delmoi" trade jibes about Mormons. Let's let Pat rest.

After all, Robertson has made some pretty heavy-duty predictions (from the Horse's Mouth to his) about this summer's weather patterns (he's not just a Preacher and a Politician and a Weightlifter; he's a Theological Meteorologist!).

Let's see how they turn out. Of course, if bad things happen, it's due to sodomy (did you blow your husband this week? Bad choice, depending on what state you live in), not global warming.
posted by kozad at 9:04 PM on May 29, 2006


(pssst, Pat-- I heard Hugo Chavez has 29 inch biceps and can bench press two pregnant mules without breaking a sweat. Whatcha gonna do about it, huh? Huh?)
posted by maryh at 9:06 PM on May 29, 2006


That ronnie coleman video is amazing. That guy is a fucking monster.
posted by puke & cry at 9:49 PM on May 29, 2006


Yeah but Robertson did the press in corduroys.
posted by missbossy at 11:16 PM on May 29, 2006


Ronnie Coleman is as big as he is, because he's on roids, is a genetic freak, and trains for hypertrophy (muscle growth) instead of primarily for strength. It's possible to become just as strong, while looking a lot leaner. Even with his reputation of a limited range of motion, he at least let the weight come down enough to have a 90 degree bend in his legs. Furthermore, he didn't push the weight up by pushing down on his knees.
Robertson doesn't have to do much to impress me, if he squats for reps with 400 pounds on his shoulders without breaking in half, I'll Pat him on the shoulders.
posted by Zombie Dreams at 11:48 PM on May 29, 2006


Pat Robertson puts the laughter into manslaughter.
posted by EarBucket at 4:22 AM on May 30, 2006


But what if it is real? What if beneath his elderly, slightly flabby exterior, Pat is really, really strong? What would be next? Gator Wrasslin? Ripping copies of the Talmud in half with his bare hands? The First Annual InterFaith Arm Wrestling Championship?

I don't know about you, but I'd rather live in a world where instead of ranting about how Jesus is an alien, the crazy guy on the soapbox down the street is instead hefting cars and bending fenceposts.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:48 AM on May 30, 2006


He did do 1000lbs infront of witnesses in the article. He said he did 2000lbs once. I guess it could happen.
posted by IronWolve at 6:12 PM PST on May 29


Uri Geller bends spoons in front of witnesses. It doesn't mean he actually did it with his mind. And anyone who hangs out with Pat Robertson is an unreliable witness anyway.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 8:53 AM on May 30, 2006


I hearby challenge Pat Robertson's legs to single combat
(hopefully in a pit with broadswords).
posted by Smedleyman at 4:05 PM on May 30, 2006


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