TRAINING TABLE: TENNESSEE'S BRIAN WILLIAMS

by Sean Quinn

Three years ago, University of Tennessee center Brian Williams was pushing 400 pounds and huffing it up and down the court in high school. Today, the 6'10'' SEC freshman is a near-svelte 270, dropping the flab in yearly chunks—40 pounds, 20 pounds, then another 40 this summer before he joined the Vols. His secret? Three letters: P B & J.

     "Peanut butter and jelly is all you need," Williams says. His reasoning for the new diet is simple: "Peanut butter, because of the protein," and jelly, "because it's good."
     Of course, a good workout routine and a drill sergeant like Bruce Pearl haven't hurt.
     To put Williams' weight loss in perspective, three years ago he was considered a football prospect by Ohio State and Michigan. But on the hardwood, he couldn't go more than a couple minutes on the floor without needing a breather.
     "That's pretty weak," says Williams.
     How things have changed. Earlier this season he played 22 minutes, nearly all of it in the second half, against Western Kentucky and put up 16 points and 14 boards in a six-point win.
     Score one for P B & J.


Williams' diet in 2005:
Breakfast — None
Lunch —
3 double cheeseburgers (1,380 calories)
1 large fry (570)
1 pack of cookies (200)
1 bag of chips (150)
After school snack—
bag of chips or cookies (350)
Dinner —
6-8 Chicken fingers (with sauce) (1,400)
Fries (500)
Rice (350)
Before bed —
4 slices of pizza (800)
Drinks for the day —
1 glass of water (0)
4-liters of Pepsi (1,600)
Total calories: 7,300


His diet now:
Breakfast —
2 eggs (200 calories)
1-2 strips of bacon (80)
Lunch —
1 Chicken breast (120)
1 Salad (80)
Dinner —
2 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (900)
Before bed—
Every now and again another peanut butter and jelly sandwich (450)
Drinks for the day —
8-10 glasses of water (0)
Total calories: 1,830

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