Terminator's got competition--7-foot-8 deputy is tallest person in the US

[Jenna]

Guinness names 7-foot-8 Virginia man tallest in U.S.


George Bell always knew he would reach great heights.
The staggering 7-foot-8 deputy sheriff from Norfolk, Va., finished head and shoulders above the rest and was officially crowned the Guinness World Records' tallest man in America Tuesday.
He was handed a framed certificate - because no one could reach high enough to put a medal around his neck.
"I knew I was tall as a kid when I was taller than my 5-foot-1 grandmother - and I was only 9 years old," he said.
Bell, 50, says his growth spurt began in middle school, and by high school he was soaring above his friends.
"A lot of my friends were tall, so it wasn't that strange or unusual," he said. "But then I just kept growing."
"I've had to adapt to a smaller man's world, but I've never looked at it as a reason I was unable to live normally."
Bell's shoes are size 19, his sleeves measure 45 inches, and the inseam of his pants is 43 inches.
And even though he has to have his pants tailor-made and he wears XXXL sweaters, Bell sees it all as a challenge.
"I look at myself finding clothes like a hunter finding food," he said.
"And the best part of being tall is that I'm able to see things that other people can't."
There are some professions, like working in a manhole or as a flight attendant, that Bell knows he would never measure up for.
And while his height prevented him from pursuing his dream career in the military, it has never posed a problem as a sheriff's deputy.
He is handy when it comes to housework, especially because his girlfriend, Shirley Mason, is only 5-feet-2.
"I can clean the ceiling fan, and I can reach the upper shelves to dust, too," Bell said.
"My girlfriend gets the lower shelves. I can't deal with that."
Walking around Times Square Tuesday, Bell attracted gapes and gasps from onlookers wherever he went.
"I'm speechless," said Valerie Phillip, 44, who stood looking in awe.
"I kept looking down to see what he was standing on. I can't believe it."
Bell came forward to claim the title after Guinness World Records launched a contest in August to find the tallest American.
Still, he is not the mightiest of them all. That title goes to Ukrainian Leonid Stadnyk, who stands a towering 8-feet-5.
China's Bao Xishun came in second worldwide at 7-feet-9.
"I don't need to get in the book for someone to tell me I'm tall," Bell said.
"People tell me that all the time, but to be recognized in the book is an honor."

Guinness names 7-foot-8 Virginia man tallest in U.S.
BY CHRISTINA BOYLE
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Wednesday, November 7th 2007, 4:00 AM


Daniel Lev (13, from Long Island) gives a high five to George Bell (50), a Deputy Sheriff from Norfolk, Virginia, is America's tallest man.

Tallest man

Shoe size: 19
Sleeve: 45 inches
Inseam: 43 inches
Waist: 38 inches
Hand/glove size: 11.5
Hat size: XL
Jobs he can't do: "Working down in the manholes, I couldn't do that. I'd be too big to work on a plane, too." Jobs he's good at: "I'm good at dusting because I can clean the ceiling fan and the top shelves. My girlfriend gets the lower shelves."






http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007...man_talle.html

[Terminator]

Yeah, he has me beat on most, but not all things.

Shoe size: 16
Sleeve: 36
Inseam: 36
Waist: 42 (I am almost as wide as a small door frame...not fat assholes)
Hand/glove size: 12 1/2
Hat size: 7 1/2 (don't know what the hell a "XL" hat size is)

[Beans]

Yeah, he has me beat on most, but not all things.

Shoe size: 16
Sleeve: 36
Inseam: 36
Waist: 42 (I am almost as wide as a small door frame...not fat assholes)
Hand/glove size: 12 1/2
Hat size: 7 1/2 (don't know what the hell a "XL" hat size is)

FREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MacLean]

Yeah, he has me beat on most, but not all things.

Shoe size: 16
Sleeve: 36
Inseam: 36
Waist: 42 (I am almost as wide as a small door frame...not fat assholes)
Hand/glove size: 12 1/2
Hat size: 7 1/2 (don't know what the hell a "XL" hat size is)

You have a freakishly small head for your size.

[Terminator]

You have a freakishly small head for your size.

I always get told I have a big head.

[jrae]

I always get told I have a big head.

He has a fat head. I don't think he truly knows what size hat he wears. I think a 7 1/2 is more like a guess. His head is about the size of a watermelon.

[MacLean]

I wear a 7 3/8 hat, so I can't really rib him too much.

[Evans]

I'm like almost the same size as term.. and the hat size i think a 7.5 is the same as a XL

[Terminator]

I'm like almost the same size as term.. and the hat size i think a 7.5 is the same as a XL

Yes, yes, you are big boy.

[conalabu]

Ah, but are you 6'5" and 300lbs?

[Resident Smart Ass]

Ah, but are you 6'5" and 300lbs?

hmmm,

Con, I think I've seen that description somewhere..hmmmm (hint hint ..text to all mods from me)

[MacLean]

That was more like 400lbs.

[Resident Smart Ass]

That was more like 400lbs.

so Term is really not 300lbs?

[Terminator]

You guys are dicks. I will find out what the text message was about before the night is over with, guaranteed.

[MacLean]

You guys are dicks. I will find out what the text message was about before the night is over with, guaranteed.

Leave the sound down on your phone.

[Terminator]

That didn't take long. "Short dick man." Checkmate.

[jrae]

Just FYI for the mods............when that song came out, I was 9 years old. Do any of you feel old now?

[Buttercup]

Just FYI for the mods............when that song came out, I was 9 years old. Do any of you feel old now?

I'm not one of the mods, but I do.

[10-42Adam]

"Dat's a huuuuge bitch!"

[Virginian]

He has a fat head. I don't think he truly knows what size hat he wears. I think a 7 1/2 is more like a guess. His head is about the size of a watermelon.

I just busted out laughing at work