Germany Launches a Football League Specifically for Those Who Don't Fit the Standard Form (3 photos + 1 video)
It's called the Overweight League, and to get in, you need a body mass index (BMI) above 31. For a man 5'8", that means at least 100 kilograms. Women can play too, but the main audience is guys who are tired of hiding their bellies under their shirts and have decided to show off their fat on the field. 
The idea is simple, but with a twist. Matches are eight-on-eight, with one goalkeeper and seven outfield players. The duration is seventy minutes, thirty-five per half, to ensure no one gets overexerted. If someone looks suspiciously fit, they can be weighed right before the game; no freeloaders. 
The league is new, recently launched in North Rhine-Westphalia with six teams, including the Heavy Kickers from the town of Bork. Founder Mike Kraus says the key isn't strict rules, but community. It's better to chase the ball than sit at home with a bag of chips and whine about your figure.
The twist here is that such a league is an acknowledgement: regular football isn't for everyone. Skinny pros fly around the field, and here are guys with potbellies trying not to choke in the first ten minutes. But there are benefits: movement, socializing, and after the match, everyone goes for a beer. Imagine: you score a goal, lose a couple of kilos during the game, and then you wash it all down with beer. A classic male approach to health: sweat first, then relax.
As a result, the league is growing, and Kraus dreams of expanding it throughout Germany and beyond. There are only six clubs so far, but the idea is viral. For us mere mortals, it's a reminder: sport isn't just for athletes. If you're tired of diets and gyms, assemble a team of fatties and get going. The main thing is for everyone to have a good time.
