From Injury to Kitchen
DeWayne Carter, a defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills, endured an Achilles rupture in August 2024 that forced him to sit out the entire 2025 campaign, leaving the team without one of its key interior linemen.
During his months of rehab, Carter stumbled upon a simple distraction: cooking. He launched a social media series titled "Fat Boy Fridays," inviting followers to watch him experiment with steaks, burgers and hot dogs alongside Buffalo’s own culinary talent.
Cooking Up Community
The first episode, timed for Memorial Day, featured him firing up a grill in a local kitchen, where the sizzle of meat became a soundtrack for his recovery.
As the weeks progressed, the videos attracted attention from chefs and restaurant owners across the city, turning a personal pastime into a community‑building ritual that showcases Buffalo’s vibrant food culture.
Looking Ahead
Carter has described the project as therapeutic, a way to keep his mind sharp while his body mends, and a reminder that mastery of a new skill can be as rewarding as a sack on the quarterback.
Now entering his third year in the league, the 27‑year‑old is eager to make up for lost time, focusing on expanding his role along the defensive line and proving he can still dominate when healthy.
Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has publicly praised Carter’s progress, noting his growing confidence and the versatility he brings to the front.
Pettine added that Carter’s ability to learn multiple positions quickly could prove invaluable as the team looks to reshape its pass rush.
Off the field, Carter continues to film "Fat Boy Fridays," planning to spotlight more of Buffalo’s hidden eateries and to use the platform to give back to the community that supported him.