Robertson says he leg-pressed 2,000 pounds

This photo provided by the Christian Broadcasting Network shows religious broadcaster Pat Robertson leg pressing what is claimed to be 2,000 pounds at the fitness center at the Founders Inn on Regent University campus in Virginia Beach, Va., Feb. 1, 2003. A CBN spokesman claims the photo is from 2003 even though the date stamp on the photo says 8/1/1994. (AP Photo/Christian Broadcasting Network)

This has been going through the blogosphere. I have not really wanted to comment on it, due to the ridiculous nature of this story. But it appears that the mainstream media has jumped onto the Pat Robertson bandwagon. From Yahoo News:

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson says he has leg-pressed 2,000 pounds, but some say he'd be in a pretty tough spot if he tried.

The "700 Club" host's feat of strength is recounted on the Web site of his Christian Broadcasting Network, in a posting headlined "How Pat Robertson Leg Pressed 2,000 Pounds."

According to the CBN Web site, Robertson worked his way up to lifting a ton with the help of his physician, who is not named. The posting does not say when the lift occurred, but a CBN spokeswoman released photos to The Associated Press that she said showed Robertson lifting 2,000 pounds in 2003, when Robertson was 73. He is now 76.

The Web posting said two men loaded the leg-press machine with 2,000 pounds "and then let it down on Mr. Robertson, who pushed it up one rep and let it go back down again." The Web site said several people witnessed the event, and shows video of Robertson leg-pressing what appears to be 1,000 pounds.

Clay Travis of CBS SportsLine.com called the 2,000-pound assertion impossible in a column this week, writing that the leg-press record for football players at Florida State University is 665 pounds less.

"Where in the world did Robertson even find a machine that could hold 2,000 pounds at one time?" Travis asked.

My question here is why is the mainstream media even picking up on this story? I mean, you're talking about leg-pressing the equivalent weight of an auto here! And having Pat Robertson making this claim of leg-pressing a Ford or a Toyota is frickin' insane.

Ah, but there's more:

CBN spokeswoman Angell Vasko said Friday that Robertson was not available for comment because he was "out of pocket" for the long holiday weekend.

Vasko said she has not seen Robertson leg-press 2,000 pounds but that it's not "a huge shocker" that he could.

"Pat is so healthy," she said. "This is something he trained for over an extended period of time. He lives a very healthy, regimented life."

The CBN Web site attributes Robertson's energy in part to "his age-defying protein shake." The site offers a recipe for the shake, which contains ingredients such as soy protein isolate, whey protein isolate, flaxseed oil and apple cider vinegar.

YES SIR! Folks, you too can leg-press a Ford or Toyota, if only you drink Pat Robertson's incredible "age-defying protein shakes!" You don't believe me? Check out the astounding web link here. And if you sign up now, CBN will give you Pat's secret recipe for his age-defying protein shakes--absolutely free! Just make sure you leave a small donation to the Christian Broadcasting Network.

I'm sorry, I think I'm allergic to "soy protein isolate, whey protein isolate, flaxseed oil and apple cider vinegar."