{"id":287750,"date":"2025-08-14T15:28:10","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T15:28:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/287750\/"},"modified":"2025-08-14T15:28:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T15:28:10","slug":"mack-hollins-goes-barefoot-all-the-time-because-people-are-so-soft-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/287750\/","title":{"rendered":"Mack Hollins goes barefoot all the time because ‘people are so soft now’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mack Hollins is built a little differently than most NFL receivers. The 31-year-old veteran, currently fighting for a starting spot in the New England Patriots\u2019 offense, has drawn attention for his \u201cTarzan\u201d lifestyle. Hollins<\/a> eats without utensils. He avoids shoes at almost every opportunity, including when he walks into practice. And it turns out this isn\u2019t just about making a statement, it\u2019s rooted in a mix of personal philosophy, science, and a bit of old-school grit<\/a>.<\/p>\n

#Patriots<\/a> WR Mack Hollins on why he is committed to being barefoot:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pussification of America. People are so soft now. Like bro, do something hard for once. It\u2019s not even hard to wear no shoes\u2026 walking into games, no matter what, I have to be barefoot.\u201d<\/p>\n

(\ud83c\udfa5 @BussinWTB<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/iO2AylaEy7<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) August 13, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Hollins signed a two-year, $8.4 million deal with the Patriots in March. Not long after, he was spotted strolling into Gillette Stadium barefoot for his introductory press conference. He\u2019s been doing this for years, dating back to his early NFL days. On the \u201cBussin\u2019 With The Boys\u201d podcast, Hollins explained one blunt reason why.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople are so soft now,\u201d Hollins said. \u201cLike bro, do something hard for once. It\u2019s not even hard to wear no shoes\u2026 walking into games, no matter what, I have to be barefoot.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s only part of it. Hollins says his barefoot lifestyle began about six or seven years ago when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles. He met trainers from Melbourne Muscular Therapy in Australia, who practiced and preached barefoot movement. Initially skeptical, Hollins soon bought in, training without shoes for years and gradually adopting it as a full-time habit outside of games.<\/p>\n

From root to resilience<\/p>\n

For Hollins, the habit has become about more than toughness. He believes there\u2019s a direct connection between strong feet and staying healthy in the NFL.<\/p>\n

\u201cA tree that doesn\u2019t have a great root system will fall over when a storm hits,\u201d Hollins explained. \u201cYour feet will be your root.\u201d He argues that strengthening the base of the body can help absorb impact, reduce injury risk, and improve overall performance.<\/p>\n

He also likes the simplicity. \u201cOne less thing to pack,\u201d Hollins said with a grin, noting that it keeps his travel bag under 50 pounds and saves money. On a deeper level, Hollins even credits going barefoot with helping him feel grounded, describing humans as \u201celectric beings\u201d who benefit from releasing excess charge into the earth.<\/p>\n

So whether it\u2019s science, spirituality, or just a challenge to toughen people up, Mack Hollins is sticking to his barefoot ways. And in a league where every edge counts, he\u2019s betting his roots will keep him standing tall.<\/p>\n