Teen sets world record for largest feet and hands

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 - A 16-year-old football player at Goodrich High School in Michigan has officially set two Guinness World Records.

Eric Kilburn Jr, a 6-foot-10 teen, has both the largest feet and the largest hands of a living teenager.

His feet measure 13½ inches, making him a shocking size 23 in men’s shoes, which is drastically larger than the typical range of 8½ to 9 for a male.

Meanwhile, his hands cover 9.13 inches, much larger than the average 7.4 inches for those his age.

“People are usually amazed and feel comfortable starting conversations with me about the size of my feet and hands,” he told Guinness. “I meet lots of interesting people this way.”

Kilburn has been much bigger than his classmates since kindergarten and hasn’t been able to purchase new shoes in a store since he was in the fifth grade.

He only noticed his uniqueness when his size began to cause problems with everyday life.

Custom shoes, which doctors warned would cost the family more than $1,500, would have put a financial strain on his family.

Instead, Kilburn opted to wear Crocs for two years straight, including snowy weather conditions in Michigan, and developed painful calluses, blisters and ingrown toenails. He also had to watch his football team from the sidelines due to a high ankle sprain from not having cleats.

Fortunately, as the teen’s story spread, several shoemakers, including Under Armour and Reebok, with the help of NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal, stepped up to provide the high schooler with several pairs of shoes that fit him.

“It was pretty cool to see how many people genuinely care about helping others,” he said.

Seeing others help him inspired Kilburn Jr. to continue to spread positivity through the Big Shoe Network — a nonprofit organization founded by his mother, focused on helping individuals who struggle to find clothes and shoes in their size.

“I want to help people the same way I was helped when I needed it,” Eric explained.

He also hopes to encourage people to embrace their differences.

“It’s okay to stand out. Don’t let negativity distract you from your goals,” the positivity-minded teen said.

Although setting two world records before turning 18 wasn’t exactly a goal of his, the high schooler is excited about the recognition.