Tribune News Services
NEW YORK -- Jets coach Rex Ryan underwent a weight-loss procedure Saturday to help him fight obesity.
The husky Ryan had lap-band surgery at NYU Medical Center, and was relaxing at his home in New Jersey on Saturday night, team spokesman Bruce Speight told The Associated Press.
Speight said Ryan also had a hernia repaired.
The New York Daily News first reported the story on its Web site Sunday morning.
The outpatient procedure came a day after Ryan and the Jets wined and dined free agent running back LaDainian Tomlinson, trying to persuade him to join the team that had the league's No. 1 rushing offense last season.
Photo: Jets coach Rex Ryan at a rally. (AP / Bill Kostroun)
The 47-year-old Ryan has frequently poked fun at himself and his rotund midsection, including after unflattering belly bearing photos of him changing into a jersey during a Florida-Carolina NHL game last month floated around the Internet.
"I'm watching ESPN and I'm like, 'Whoa, that's not a real good shot,"' Ryan said during the NFL combine. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I get hit on all the time by women."
Ryan also partially blamed his weight for him not getting a head coaching job with the Atlanta Falcons after the 2007 season. He thought he was a shoo-in for the job that eventually went to friend and former Baltimore Ravens colleague Mike Smith.
"I think I was too fat," Ryan said with a laugh in December.
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In this condition it is quite obvious that the body weight will increase. This result in obesity and their bodies become fluffy. But who want to have a tummy or to look fat. Everyone wants to look smart and slim.
LOL, that was genius, charlie.
Hope it works better than mine did.