Eric Kilburn Jr., a 16-year-old football player from Goodrich High School in Michigan has officially achieved two Guinness World Records.
The 6-foot-10 teen possesses the largest feet and hands among living teenagers.
His feet measure 13½ inches, making him a surprising size 23 in men’s shoes. This is far larger than the average range of 8½ to 9 for a boy.
Meanwhile, his hands measure 9.13 inches, significantly bigger compared to the typical 7.4 inches for people his age.
“People are usually amazed and feel comfortable starting conversations with me about the size of my feet and hands,” he once told Guinness. “I meet lots of interesting people this way.”
Kilburn has been substantially larger than his friends since kindergarten, and he hasn’t been able to buy new shoes at a store since fifth grade.
He first became aware of his distinctiveness after his stature began to cause complications in his daily existence. Custom shoes, which experts said would cost more than $1,500, would have strained his family’s finances.
Instead, Kilburn wore Crocs for two years in a row, including snowy weather in Michigan, and acquired painful calluses, blisters, and ingrown toenails.
He had to observe his football team from the sidelines due to a significant ankle sprain caused by not wearing cleats.
Fortunately, once the teen’s story spread, numerous shoemakers stepped up, including Under Armour and Reebok, with the assistance of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, to equip the high schooler with multiple pairs of shoes that fit him.
“It was pretty cool to see how many people genuinely care about helping others,” he told me.
Seeing others aid him encouraged Kilburn Jr. to continue spreading optimism through the Big Shoe Network, a charity organization started by his mother that assists people who struggle to obtain clothes and shoes in their size.
“I want to help people the same way I was helped when I needed it,” Eric told me.
He also wants to inspire people to accept their differences.
“It’s okay to stand out.” “Don’t let negativity distract you from your goals,” the optimistic teen said.
Although establishing two world records before turning 18 was not one of his goals, the high schooler is overjoyed with the honor.
“Being in the Guinness World Records book still feels surreal,” he told me. “To go from reading the novels to being within the 2025 book is something I never thought was conceivable.
“I’m quite appreciative for this opportunity. It couldn’t be much better, in my opinion.”