- November 1, 2024
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Michael Peppin Courtesy photo by Erakal Goodman
Michael Peppin is athletic. He’s big (6’3, 290 pounds). He’s muscle (very little body fat). But, he’s only tried steak…once?
Yes. While Peppin doesn’t necessarily classify himself as a vegetarian, he’s eaten very little meat — except chicken every once in a blue moon — over the course of his life.
No, he’s not an animal activist or anything else that may hinder him from eating meat. According to Peppin, he didn’t like the little he once tasted. He says meat has never appealed to him.
When he and I began our conversation, and he told me didn’t eat me, I instantly began to think of all the different meat variations I love. Oven-baked spaghetti with meat sauce and sausages. Pepperoni and pineapple pizza. Jumbo shrimp. A big, juicy hamburger — which I’m eating now. A T-bone…I can go on and on.
Instead of pork chops, deer, and beef tips, Peppin often consumes protein bars and shakes, pasta, rice and peanut butter. His friends can attest to his daily three peanut-butter-and-jelly-sandwich count he grubs on during lunch.
While I might question his lack of love for the tasty animals, I have to acknowledge that Peppin’s doing something the correct way. He’s far from the all-brawn-and-no-brains stereotype. Peppin currently holds a 4.2 GPA, and he recently signed to Appalachian State University to forward his education and playing career.
In his current sport, Peppin has broken set and broken some of his own track and field school records. He’s also finished in the Top 10 at state.
Peppin, the son of a coach, grew up around athletics. He tried to imitate what he saw athletes do, such as lifting weights and running drills. He has been working out since the fourth grade.
Peppin has become an ideal student-athlete, and I would’ve never guessed he didn’t eat meat. So much for calling him a “meathead.” Peppin apparently keep his head in books.
