Townsend Claims Diet Aided Recovery After Pitch Roller Incident

Andros Townsend, the former England international footballer, has stated that his unconventional diet was instrumental in his recovery after being involved in an incident where he was run over by a pitch rolling machine in Thailand. Townsend, 35, described the event as leaving him in "agony" and unable to walk in the immediate aftermath.

He detailed his recovery process on TikTok, emphasizing his belief that "food is medicine." Over the 24 hours following the accident, Townsend consumed a diet that included six eggs, blueberries, extra virgin olive oil, raw cacao, smoked wild-caught salmon, raw cheese, an orange, tomatoes, eight-hour slow-cooked chicken feet, and kiwi. He shared a clip showing him walking unaided, an ability he had lost in the hours after the incident.

Townsend recounted the moment of the accident, stating he heard teammates screaming and then felt the pressure of the roller. He noted that he did not initially feel significant pain but experienced severe knee swelling and agony on a 10-hour bus journey home after the game, requiring assistance for basic mobility.

The incident occurred while Townsend was playing for PT Prachuap in Thailand. He joined the Thai Premier League club during the summer transfer window. Prior to this, he played for Kanchanaburi Power last season, scoring three goals in 29 appearances. His career also includes spells at clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle, Crystal Palace, and Everton.

Townsend has previously garnered attention for his diet, which includes raw meat and other unconventional items. He has shared videos promoting his approach to "real food" and has claimed to have been consuming raw meat for four years. While acknowledging potential risks associated with raw meat consumption, such as bacterial contamination, Townsend asserts he has experienced no negative health effects and believes it provides superior nutrient absorption. He noted that nutrients like Vitamin B1, B6, and B12 can be degraded by cooking.

Similar dietary practices have been noted among other athletes. For instance, striker Erling Haaland reportedly consumes raw milk.