New York Giants star Odell Beckham Jr. may be an accomplished athlete — but something he’s less accomplished at is staying hydrated.
The star wide receiver, 25, told reporters on Friday that he doesn’t drink water because he doesn’t like the feeling of it in his stomach.
He said via Yahoo Sports NFL writer Kimberly A. Martin:
I’ve always cramped. I’ve always cramped. It’s just, I feel like I’m working harder than I ever have. I really don’t like water. I’m trying. I really just don’t like it. You get that stomach feeling, like it’s all slushy. I’m trying to stay hydrated. Sometimes I just gotta get an IV. It’s just necessary. If you’re cramping in both calves, it’s hard to run and make cuts. And if you’re cramping and dehydrated, you’re susceptible to something else. I’m trying to stay on top of it the best that I can.
“I really don’t like water.”
Odell Beckham, Jr. is literally ME (in this one instance.)
*takes another sip of coffee* #giants pic.twitter.com/LDzJVPEvKF
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) October 19, 2018
This came as a surprise to new head coach Pat Shurmur, who says his team has a don’t-ask-don’t-tell policy about water.
“That’s news to me, yeah,” Shurmur said, via NY Daily News Giants reporter Pat Leonard. “I mean, listen. Odell and I and the players talk about a lot of things. We don’t talk about our like and dislike for water.”
Pat Shurmur asked if it’s news to him that OBJ doesn’t like water: “That’s news to me, yeah. I mean listen, Odell and I and the players talk about a lot of things. We don’t talk about our like and dislike for water.” Then Shurmur under his breath adds: “What a business.”
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) October 19, 2018
I’m not a scientist but not drinking water sounds like a recipe for failure. It might — at least in part — explain the Giants abysmal 15 record though. Just a hunch.