Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has made a significant change in his lifestyle by cutting out sugar, inspired by the dietary habits of NFL legend Tom Brady. This Anthony Richardson diet change has helped him lose ten pounds as he prepares for a pivotal upcoming season with the Colts.
How Tom Brady’s Diet Inspired Anthony Richardson
Tom Brady, known for winning seven Super Bowls and maintaining peak performance well into his 40s, built his career around a strict and disciplined diet regimen famously known as TB12. Young athletes, including Richardson, have looked up to Brady’s approach to nutrition as a blueprint for longevity and success in the sport.
Richardson, drafted two seasons ago by the Colts, shared in an ESPN interview that he struggled with sugar cravings, particularly for candies like Skittles, which conflicted with his goal of performing at the highest level. He admitted that cutting sugary snacks was necessary for his progress.
“I had to cut the sweets out, man. It’s the candy. I used to be big on Skittles and all that stuff, just eating candy all the time. So, I’ve been just trying to cut out the sugary stuff and hydrate more. I need to be more of a pro when it comes to my eating.” —Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts Quarterback
By removing candy and focusing on hydration, Richardson has made steps toward professionalizing his eating habits, closely following the example set by Brady, who prioritized an extremely disciplined diet throughout his career.
Physical Changes and Impact on Performance
As a direct result of his diet transformation, Richardson has lost approximately ten pounds. He also acknowledged that his previous seasons did not reflect his full potential. Determined to elevate his game, the young quarterback expressed his ambition to reach elite status among NFL players and hinted at aspirations of eventually being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
These physical and mental adjustments come at a critical time in Richardson’s career as he navigates a highly competitive AFC and attempts to establish himself as a franchise quarterback capable of leading the Colts to success.
Navigating Inexperience and Opportunity with the Colts
Richardson entered the NFL with impressive Combine metrics but limited collegiate experience, having started only 13 games during his college years and appearing in 24 total. His 2023 rookie season was marked by injury struggles and inconsistency, which Colts General Manager Chris Ballard acknowledged as a result of rushing Richardson into a starting role too soon.
Despite criticism for benching Richardson last year, the Colts seem intent on giving him another chance this season. This decision comes amid ongoing debates about the quarterback depth chart and the organization’s future plans.
To support Richardson and create competition, the Colts signed former Giants and briefly Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones to a one-year contract. While Jones has playoff experience, he is not widely seen as a transformative franchise quarterback. Some analysts view Jones as a safer, if less spectacular, option compared to Richardson’s high upside but inconsistent play.
In addition, rookie Riley Leonard is in the mix as a potential future quarterback option. If Leonard performs strongly in training camp and preseason, he could push Richardson for the starting position down the line, making this upcoming season a high-stakes proving ground for the young QB.
What This Means for Richardson’s Future
With competition and scrutiny mounting, Richardson cannot afford any setbacks on or off the field this season. His recent focus on diet and hydration reflects a growing maturity and commitment to the professional standards expected in the NFL. Following in the footsteps of Tom Brady’s disciplined regimen could give Richardson the physical edge needed to compete at the highest level.
The Colts’ choice to back Richardson signals a pivotal moment—he must capitalize on the opportunity to lead the team without interruption, as the margin for error narrows. Success this season could solidify his role and silence critics, while failure might accelerate a search for alternatives.