Ex-NFL player from Spring now an arm wrestling pro

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A former NFL player from Spring is trying out a new competition after leaving the game. He's turned pro in arm wrestling.

Ken Blackman, 42, knows a thing or two about competitive sports. The former professional football player is now on the front lines of this emerging sport -- and in it to win it.

Blackman told Eyewitness News, "It's a sport you can train on your own. You can work it. Get across the table it's you vs. him, man versus man, and the best man, the strongest man, the fastest man wins."

And Ken wins a lot these days. A Houston resident, former offensive lineman, career cut short by an injury, but his competitive spirit got him to test his strength at another sport.

Blackman said, "It's that drive to compete -- man versus man on the table. Just like on the field."

Ken has climbed the arm wrestling ladder like no other. He's now training for the world arm wrestling championship in Las Vegas.

Lindley, a four-time world pulling champion, says Ken has got what it takes to win it all.

Lindley is now Ken's trainer. Lindley said of his trainee, "He's an extremely strong guy. Extremely strong. You take that strength and combine it with correct technique with execution, he's going to be a force to be reckoned with.

The competition is in two weeks. The winner will take home half a million dollars.