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          NFL Nation

          Titans strength coach Steve Watterson had 3 surgeries and was back next day

          • Paul Kuharsky, ESPN Staff WriterMay 28, 2015, 03:08 PM ET
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            • Covered AFC South for five years for ESPN.com
            • Covered Oilers/Titans for The Tennessean
            • New Jersey native and Columbia graduate lives in Nashville with his wife and son
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          NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans strength and conditioning coach Steve Watterson is a smart guy with a strong background in the science involved in his job.

          But he also fits the caricature many people would paint of an NFL strength coach: He’s a heavily muscled bald guy, barking orders during the team’s stretch often while spinning a whistle cord around his finger.

          Watterson has proudly never missed a day of work, including following back surgery several years ago.

          He recently made another ridiculous medical return.

          On May 20, he lifted a 242-pound strongman stone from the ground onto a 54-inch high platform. Late that afternoon, he had surgery on both of his knees (repairs to each meniscus as well as surfaces) and his right shoulder (torn rotator cuff). On May 21, he reported to team headquarters for work.

          “I think he was here the day after his surgery,” center Brian Schwenke said. “Oh, he loves it. He loves this way too much. This is his life. I mean, he’s a little crazy. Probably a little too crazy."

          Said coach Ken Whisenhunt: “I think it confirms that Watterson is crazy, that I know. I think it shows his intensity. I think he's held together by a girdle, if he takes it off I think he's going to fall apart.

          “He's very good at what he does, I have a lot of respect for Steve, I didn't really know Steve other than competing against him when we came here. His knowledge of what he's doing and how he trains these guys I have a lot of respect for.”

          Here’s the light-hearted question I’d like to take to the good-natured Watterson, whom I might get to chat with next week.

          Considering the way you’re falling apart, shouldn’t some of these players be doubting your methods?

          Whisenhunt joked that Watterson “is resisting the rehabilitation process.”

          Schwenke stepped up as a witness to the contrary.

          “He’s doing rehab, I see him in there icing and stuff,” he said. “But he hasn’t been lifting, write that down.

          “Now, you’re going to get me in trouble. Don’t get me in trouble with Watterson. Don’t do that, Paul.”

          Sorry, Schwenke. I owe you one.