“Didn’t Like Hitting People”: Bodybuilding Beast Lou Ferrigno Revealed the Reason Behind Ending His Another Sports Career in 1976

Published 10/12/2022, 8:00 AM EDT
Lou Ferrigno was a massive professional bodybuilder of the 70s. However, he didn’t manage to win any Mr. Olympia titles in history. Despite his streak of failure in the results, he is regarded as a worthy opponent to legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Ferrigno left bodybuilding, when he couldn’t manage to pay the expenses for professional bodybuilding.
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Moreover, he could have had a career in football as well, but he chose not to play the sport. His father always wanted him to be a successful American footballer, but he had other plans. Ferrigno tried playing football in the Canadian Football League, but he couldn’t connect to the sport and eventually dropped the idea.
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Lou Ferrigno was never into football
The Hulk Lou Ferrigno was one of the closest rivals of the legend, Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, professional bodybuilding wasn’t the only sport Ferrigno played. He tried playing football but he eventually stopped after realising some conflicts with his likeliness. Nevertheless, someone can’t force a career on themselves, so he eventually dropped football soon.
MIAMI, FL – JULY 11: Actor Lou Ferrigno reacts after throwing out the first pitch before the start of the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on July 11, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
Lou had a massive physique that certainly helped him in playing football. He once said to the Canadian Football League website, “I had a great time but I felt like it wasn’t for me because I didn’t like hitting people, but it was a great experience being in Canada back in 1976.” In addition, during one such conversation, he also said, “Gave one hundred percent of himself, he inadvertently broke both legs of an opponent.”
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Indeed, he liked the experience of that one month he played CFL. Moreover, he had a great time as he made many friends in a month, but couldn’t continue further. He didn’t like the roughness of the sport and its dominant physical nature.
‘ The Incredible Hulk’ proved to be the first step towards success
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After trying his hands in the sports world, Ferrigno moved towards the entertainment business. His immense physique awarded him the role of Hulk in the television series called, ‘The Incredible Hulk’. Fortunately, that turned out to be the turning point in his life. The Incredible Hulk was a big success, and Ferrigno got acclaimed for his role as well.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 08: (L-R) The Incredible Hulk and Actor Lou Ferrigno attend Marvel Universe LIVE! Age Of Heroes World Premiere Celebrity Red Carpet Event at Staples Center on July 8, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ari Perilstein/Getty Images for Feld Entertainment)
Entry into the entertainment business made him financially stable. Moreover, he still contributes to the Hulk movies, either as the voice artist or in some role. The pro bodybuilder managed to keep his physique strong even at the age of 70, and he inspires people to do the same via his social media account.
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Watch This Story: Five Years Younger to Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno Looking Like a Beast Next to the Terminator Left Fans Amazed Once
Destiny played its role quite well, in Lou’s case. He reached exactly where he was supposed to arrive. Thereafter, Lou took to acting. After his debut, Ferrigno continued his career in acting, and since, he has been doing pretty well in that field. He has done several movies, including Hulk, Hercules, Instant death, Avengers Grimm, etc.