What is the average bench press at NFL Combine?

With the NFL Combine around the corner, it's high time we look at one of the more intriguing events at the NFL Combine: the bench press.

The bench press involves an NFL prospect lying flat on a bench and lifting 225 pounds for as many repetitions as possible. It's a test of endurance, strength, and core strength for prospects looking to enter the NFL. The bench press is a strength and conditioning coach's favourite event in the Combine, as it shows them the work that needs to be done on selected prospects.

The average bench press at the NFL Combine varies per position: Linemen (30-39 reps), Tight Ends and Linebackers (25-30 reps), Running Backs (20-25 reps) and Defensive Backs and Receivers (15-20 reps). There's no average bench press for quarterbacks and specialists, as these players hardly take the bench press at the Combine.

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Who has the most impressive NFL Combine bench press of all time?

There have been several astonishing bench presses at the NFL Combine over the years. The likes of Mitch Petrus (2010), Jeff Owens (2010), Dontari Poe (2012), and Russell Bodine (2014) come to mind. However, these performances are less impressive than Stephen Paea's showing at the 2011 NFL Combine.

Stephen Paea, an Oregon State University alum, was the reigning Pac-12 defensive player of the year and absolutely showed out at the Combine. He set the record for the most repetitions in the 225-pound bench press drill with 49 reps at the 2011 Combine. In the process, he beat the record of Micah Petrus, who completed 45 repetitions in 2010.

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Stephen Paea's NFL Career Timeline

Following his stellar showing at the 2011 NFL Combine, Paea was drafted by the Chicago Bears as the 53rd overall pick of the 2011 NFL draft. He played for the Bears for three years before he was traded and released to the free agency pool at the end of the 2014 season.

He signed a four-year contract with the Washington Redskins in 2015, with the Redskins giving him a four-year contract to join their team as a defensive end. Paea struggled to remain fit and appeared in a mere 11 games for the Bears. He was released at the end of the season. His stats for that season weren't poor, but like they say, the best ability is availability.

Following his release by the Bears, Paea appeared for the Cleveland Browns in 2016, alternating between defensive end and having a role on the defensive Line. He was average for the Browns, helping them remain competitive for the season, but he was released at the end of his prove-it contract.

Paea's next stop was with the Dallas Cowboys, America's team, and a great place to resurrect his flailing career. He only started four games for the Cowboys, though, plagued by a degenerative knee condition.

He later announced his retirement from the NFL, thanking the Cowboys for having enough faith in him to give him another contract. Stephen Paea retired from the NFL on October 13, 2017.