David Menocal

David "The Sultan of Steel" Menocal (born October 9, 1985 in Gainesville, Georgia) is a powerlifter and strongman from Furman University. Menocal is a football player at Furman University, where in four short years he has reached legendary status as a pillar of strength due to his mind-boggling feats in the weight room, particularly on the bench press. On May 21, 2008 Menocal set an NCAA record by benchpressing 610 pounds, with a 2 second pause on the ascent [http://furmanpaladins.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/furm-m-footbl-body.html Official Athletic Site of Furman University - Football ] ] .

Furman football

Menocal is about to begin his third year as the starting center on the Furman University football team. Immediately after his arrival on campus in the summer of 2004, Menocal established himself as the strongest man in Furman history with a benchpress of 505 pounds, surpassing the previous mark of 500 pounds set by Furman football strength legend Wesley "Debo" Bray.In 2007, Menocal lead the country with 26 broken facemasks [ [http://www.cfbstats.com/ cfbstats.com - College Football Statistics ] ] .Menocal enters the 2008 football season as the first ever center to be named to the Walter Payton Award watch list.fact|date=August 2008. However, look for Furman to use Menocal all over the field this season to take advantage of his substantial strength.

High school

Menocal was coached by the legendary Bruce Miller at Gainesville High School in Georgia. Coach Miller has frequently said, "David Menocal is the strongest beast I have ever encountered in high school football. That incredible strength, combined with a true heart of lion makes him an All-Universe center." Menocal was ranked as a blue chip prospect at both center and defensive tackle [rivals.com] . He was highly recruited by the entire country, including all the SEC powers as well as national powers such as The University of Southern California, The Ohio State University, and The University of Miami. Menocal cemented his reputation as the best player in the state against Gainseville's biggest rival, North Hall High School, during his senior year. In what will forever be remembered as the "Remember the Wreath Game," for Menocal's passionate pregame speach, he single-handedly willed his team to victory. One of the most memorable plays in the game (as well as in Georgia High School football history) came while Menocal was playing defensive tackle. After an amazing burst off the line, Menocal pancaked the center, effortlessly took out the fullback, and managed to knockdown the quarterback as he released the ball. After all this, he still managed to chase down the receiver 60 yards down field to save a touchdown.

Personal life

In addition to his unsurpassed strength, Menocal is known throughout the community for his unfailing loyalty to his friends. In fact, on one occasion after his friend had been slandered, Menocal punched someone in the face for just standing there.Menocal has long been known as "The Sultan of Steel," but he has had many other aliases throughout his life, including "the Punisher," "Bone Crusher," "Latin Lover," "Tank," and most recently, "the Carbon Fiber Cubano." Menocal does not entirely devote his time to lifting weights and dominating on the football field however. He considers himself a movie buff and considers ATL (film), Belly (film), and Get Rich or Die Tryin' (film) as classic accomplishments in cinema that have changed his life. Menocal is also an avid fan of Saved By The Bell, especially A.C. Slater and Kelly Kapowski. He credits his success to the Kapowski, who has showered him with inspiration.