WE STOOD at the top of the steps watching a young man, breathing heavily and gripping the bannister, slowly heave his 533 lb frame up the front stairs at The Tribune. We wondered how long his heart could take such punishment. On reaching the landing, he pulled his 5'7' frame up tall, bowed, and with an impish smile, announced: "Good afternoon, madam, I am your new staff member, Marcquel Bethel."

Marcquel's rotund frame filled the small space at the top of the stairs. The year was 2000.

Marcquel quickly became a Tribune favourite, determined to forget his weight in the hopes that everyone else would do the same as he struggled hard to prove that he was as good as the other Tribu ...

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