A Lion in Disguise

[user66118]

Poker tournaments bring everybody out to the table: professionals, amateurs, stars of film and television. It also brings pro athletes out for some gambling, and we've spotted a former American football player in our field today.

Eric Stocz was born in Ohio in 1974, and he was drafted as a tight end by the NFL's Detroit Lions in 1996. He played with them for two years before leaving the game and seeking out other interests to occupy his time. One of those interests, apparently, is poker. Stocz notched his first live cash in 2009, at a Circuit event no less. He was the runner up in a $345-buy-in event, earning four figures and consummating his poker career. Just a few months later, his second cash came with a 1st-place trophy as Stocz took down the Heartland Poker Tour event in Mount Pleasant for more than $100,000.

Stocz is looking to make another run at a Circuit ring here this week, but he's off to a slow start. We caught him with a short stack and involved in a pot that would put him to the test for the last of his chips. Here's what happened:

A player in early position opened to 1,300, and Stocz was the lone caller, matching the bet from the big blind to go heads up to a flop. It came {Q-Spades} {10-Clubs} {2-Diamonds} , and Stocz checked. His opponent bet all in, and Stocz shrugged and called all in for his last 4,625 chips, turning over {J-Clubs} {10-Hearts} . He was in the lead as his opponent showed up {7-Clubs} {7-Diamonds} . The turn {3-Clubs} and river {J-Hearts} kept Stocz safe, earning him a much-needed double up.