Only 3% of the world's population is at least 6-feet tall, according to online data. In the United States, just 14.5% of men and less than 1% of women reach that height.
An even smaller percentage — 3% to 6% of adults in the U.S. — weigh at least 300 pounds.
At 6-foot-8 and 322 pounds — he's slimmed down since his high school and early college days — Mount Airy native Rob Havenstein checks those boxes.
But size ranks down the list of all the things that make Big Rob, as he is affectionately known, unique.
For starters, he is remarkably humble, never one to want the spotlight and often quick to shine it on others.
His preparation and work ethic are never in question. He is friendly and genuine. He makes time for everyone and is always sure to return a phone call or a text message, even if it isn't right away.
These traits can be hard to find in Havenstein's line of work, which is incredibly rare in itself as less than 2% of draft-eligible college football players reach the NFL.
"He's a rare bird," longtime Linganore High football coach Rick Conner said of Havenstein, one of his former players. "They don't make them like that."
Conner always thought it was pretty neat that he could text an NFL player at any time and get a prompt response. Often on fall Friday nights, Conner would pick up his phone in the late hours after a game, and he'd see a "Big win, coach," text message from Havenstein.
As Shannon Breen — Havenstein's good buddy, fellow offensive lineman and former Linganore teammate — put it, "It just doesn't happen at that level," referring to Big Rob's thoughtfulness and personable, relatable, common-man style.
Havenstein, 33, made news this week when he announced he was stepping away from the NFL and into retirement.
In a league where the average career lasts right around three-and-a-half years, Havenstein played 11 for the Los Angeles Rams , starting all 161 games he ever appeared in for them at right tackle.
True to form, Havenstein shared the news publicly with a heartfelt Instagram post, thanking family, friends, coaches, teammates and the Rams organization for believing in him, supporting him and providing him with an opportunity to play the sport he loved.
Havenstein noted in the social media post some of his career accomplishments, which included serving as a team captain for the last four years and playing in two Super Bowls and winning one.
"What a ride it's been!" he wrote.
In turn, the Rams posted their own tribute video to Havenstein on their Instagram page.
"Rob Havenstein, you talk about the epitome of a pro's pro and a man's man," Rams coach Sean McVay says in the video. "He's mentally and physically tough. He uplifts and elevates his teammates. He represents everything that is right about the Rams."
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was just named the NFL's Most Valuable Player, said, "Rob is such an unbelievable person, a leader up front, he really makes that [offensive line] go. Whether he is out there or not, his presence is felt at all times throughout our building, through our locker room. He's a guy that knows when it's time to work and keeps it light at the same time. When he goes out there and plays, man, he's done an unbelievable job at protecting me. A true gritty guy that has played through all sorts of stuff, and we are better for him."
Havenstein is the longest-tenured NFL player from Frederick County. He came into the league in 2015 as a St. Louis Ram, taken No. 57 overall in the second round of the NFL Draft after stellar careers at Linganore High, where he won a state title as the team's starting left tackle in 2009, and the University of Wisconsin, where he converted to right tackle and earned All-Big Ten honors.
And he leaves the game as one of the Rams' all-time leaders in career starts and a shining example of how to lead and play his position. He was voted a team captain by his peers for the first time in 2022 and held the title ever since.
Havenstein's trademark dependability had waned a bit in recent seasons. Multiple knee and ankle injuries and the resulting surgeries were starting to take a toll on him physically and mentally. He was limited to 13 games in 2024 and a career-low seven this past season. He was not on the field for the Rams' playoff run to the NFC Championship game.
In an appearance this week on the News-Post's weekly sports podcast, The Final Score, Havenstein said the decision to retire was clear to him some time ago after consulting with his family.
When it became public this week, it was not a surprise to his coaches, teammates or the rest of the Rams organization.
"It was the easiest hard decision I have ever had to make in my life," Havenstein said on the podcast. "It was one of those things where all good things come to and end. As I mentioned in my [Instagram] post, I have accomplished a lot and made some great friends along the way and had some great experiences with the Rams."
Havenstein said he has an idea of what comes next. But he wasn't ready to share it yet publicly. He is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Meaghan, and his three daughters, whom he said sacrificed a lot to help make his long NFL career possible.
"There's not much regret, if any, for my career," he said. "I gave it 100 percent, everything I could. I just hope that's reflected in my teammates."
