R.I.P. Blair River

Posted By elissa on Mar 5, 2011 | 2 comments

He was the spokesmodel for the “Heart Attack Grill,” in Chandler, AZ.

Blair River was a big guy with a big heart.

River, who stood 6-foot-8 and weighed about 575 pounds, gained a measure of fame in the past year as spokesman for the Heart Attack Grill, a west Chandler restaurant that specializes in thick hamburgers and fries. He died on Tuesday at the age of 29.

The cause of death is currently unknown, but friends are speculating that it was the result of his contracting pneumonia after a bout with the flu.

Heart Attack Grill is an unabashedly unhealthy restaurant – the menu consists of huge burgers, milkshakes and fries cooked in lard – and having such a big man as a spokesman was part of its tongue in cheek “glorification of obesity.” But those who knew River said he was more than the larger-than-life caricature he portrayed in promoting the restaurant.

While the cause of Mr. Blair’s death is currently unknown, it’s probable that his weight and/or diet played a role. If nothing else, it’s more difficult to transport, diagnose and treat morbidly obese people – and in a critical care situation where time is of the essence, such issues can make the difference between life and death. Likewise, a chronically high fat/sugar/calorie diet that’s low in veggies/fruits/fiber can complicate one’s recovery from a serious disease or infection, regardless of weight.

It’s a situation like this that makes the Heart Attack Grill’s whole “Ha-ha-ha, our food will kill you” schtick even more repellent. Owner Jon Basso is selling a dangerous delusion: that you can routinely extend a middle finger to basic health and fitness advice without serious consequences.

I said it before and I’ll say it again: dying from lifestyle-related diseases isn’t a joke. And no food or dish is worth dying for… especially the greasy, revolting crap on display here:

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbKRSYAuSNg]

Ewwww…