It’s a quirky crossover, but one that happens so often that it is definitely noticeable. There are a huge number of wrestlers who started out as football players.
It makes sense when you think about it, the majority of football players have to be in great shape and usually have a lot of bulk and muscle, as well as athleticism. In wrestling, these attributes all come in incredibly useful. Plenty of football players whose careers haven’t necessarily worked out have turned their hand to wrestling.
The next time you’re betting on the NFL, finding a Fubo promo code or other online gambling bonus to bet on the game of the day, you won’t find a market for “which players will one day try their hand at wrestling”, but it certainly is interesting to think that with all the links between the sports, some of them might give it a try one day.
Let’s look at some of the wrestling careers that have their roots in the NFL.
Brock Lesnar
Lesnar has tried his hand at many different things, from rapping to acting, and of course from wrestling to football and even MMA. In fact, his career went in the opposite direction to a lot of the footballers who get into wrestling.
In the WWE from 2002 to 2004, he won the WWE Championship in his first stint in the ring, before he decided he was going to try out to play in the NFL. He signed for the Minnesota Vikings, the team nearest to his childhood home.
He played as a defensive tackle, but actually only made it as far as a few pre-season matches before he was eventually released by the team. He went on to join the UFC and then eventually returned to the WWE, where he has been a great success.
Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns is a huge talent in the world of wrestling, but not everyone realizes he played football. He first played as defense for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets before graduating from college football to sign with the Minnesota Vikings (the same team as Brock Lesnar) and then the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Roman Reigns, whose real name is Joe Anoa’i, was coached in his time by Chan Gailey who went on to become the head coach for the Bills in the NFL.
Unfortunately, he didn’t actually play a pro game for either of the NFL teams. He moved to play for Edmonton in Canada and was later released, at which point he was able to pursue his wrestling career. He’s gone on to become one of the greats in the world of wrestling.
Vader
Vader has an interesting story or two from his football career. He actually has an NFC championship ring from his time playing for the LA Rams and played at a Super Bowl, which resulted in a loss to the Steelers.
Leon was a great football player at the University of Colorado first, but after a short-lived career on the field, he ruptured his patella and had to retire extremely early. Vader fought back in the world of wrestling, first joining New Japan-Pro Wrestling in the 80s and eventually winning the World Heavyweight Championship on three separate occasions.
Vader’s story is particularly interesting due to the fact that he experienced more success while playing football than a lot of the players who were released from their contracts when they were young.
The Rock
Yes, no list of footballers who became wrestlers is complete without The Rock. Back when he was a defensive tackle, who could’ve predicted he would make it to the WWE or eventually become one of the biggest names in Hollywood?
While he was great playing at college football, he never got his chance in the NFL. Like a lot of footballers, he moved to the CFL, playing for the Calgary Stampeders. He was only involved in practice and made a measly $300 per week for the effort, and didn’t even make it as a player on their first team.
I’m sure this doesn’t bother him now. The Rock went on to become a huge name in the world of wrestling, with iconic catchphrases and awesome performances, before starring in some of the biggest movies made in recent years.
Summary
Who is next? These are just some of the NFL and other football players to make it to the world of wrestling, and it is inevitable that there will be more in the future. Perhaps a current NFL star could try their hand at wrestling someday.