Football is an extremely popular sport all over the world, attracting millions of fans and followers. However, not many people know that some football players have an itch they couldn’t scratch while they were still playing- becoming professional wrestlers. In this article we’ll take a look at 10 of the best NFL players who turned their attention to wrestling.
Top 10 NFL players who became wrestlers
1. Brock Lesnar
2. Bill Goldberg
3. Bob Sapp
4. Matt Hardy
5. Rey Mysterio Jr.
6. Jerry Lawler
7. Dan Severn
8. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
9. Steve Austin
10. Kevin Nash
1. Steve Atwater
Steve Atwater played safety for the Denver Broncos from 1989-1998, and was a two-time Super Bowl champion. He was also a Pro Bowl selection in eight of his ten seasons with the team. After retiring from the NFL, Atwater became a professional wrestler, competing in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). He has also made appearances on television shows such as “The Sopranos” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”
Steve Atwater was an All-Pro safety for the Denver Broncos and is considered one of the best players in franchise history. He was a two-time Super Bowl champion and was named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. After his retirement from football, Atwater pursued a career in professional wrestling. He made his debut in 1997 and competed in various promotions throughout his career. In 2007, he won the World Heavyweight Championship in Wrestling Society X. Atwater is one of the few NFL players who have successfully made the transition to professional wrestling.
2. Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Taylor is one of the best NFL players who became wrestlers. He was a linebacker for the New York Giants and won two Super Bowls with the team. He was also named the NFL MVP in 1986. After his football career, he became a professional wrestler and had a successful career in that field as well.
3. Tony Romo
Tony Romo is a former NFL quarterback who spent 14 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and led the Cowboys to six divisional titles. He retired from football in 2017 and currently serves as an analyst for CBS Sports.
In 2018, Romo made his wrestling debut with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He defeated Cody Rhodes in a match that aired on pay-per-view.
4. Michael Strahan
Michael Strahan is a retired NFL defensive end who spent his entire 15-year career with the New York Giants. He is a two-time Super Bowl champion and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
After retiring from the NFL, Strahan became a co-host of the morning talk show Live! with Kelly and Michael. He has also appeared as a guest host on Good Morning America and as a correspondent on ABC’s 20/20.
In addition to his broadcasting career, Strahan has also dabbled in professional wrestling. He made a special guest appearance at WWE’s WrestleMania XXIV in 2008 and has since appeared on WWE Raw and SmackDown.
5. Herschel Walker
Herschel Walker is a former NFL running back who had a successful career in both the NFL and USFL. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was named the 1982 NFL Rookie of the Year. Walker also had a successful career as a mixed martial artist, winning three of his four professional fights.
6. Dick Butkus
Dick Butkus was one of the best NFL players who became wrestlers. He was a linebacker for the Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1973. He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1969 and 1970. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
After his football career, Butkus became a wrestler. He wrestled in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) from 1974 to 1975. He had matches with some of the biggest names in wrestling, including Bruno Sammartino, Andre the Giant, and Hulk Hogan. He also appeared in several movies and TV shows, including The A-Team and The Dukes of Hazzard.
Butkus was a big man at 6’3” and 250 pounds. He was an intimidating presence in the ring. His matches were often filled with action and he was known for his signature move, the “Butkus Bomb.” He was a popular wrestler and won several titles during his career, including the WWF Tag Team Championship with Stan Hansen.
Dick Butkus is one of the best NFL players who became wrestlers. His size, strength, and athleticism made him a natural choice for wrestling. His matches were always filled with action and he had many signature moves that delighted fans. He won several championships during his career and remains one of the most popular wrestlers of all time.
7. Terry Bradshaw
Terry Bradshaw is best known for his time as a quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he also had a brief stint in professional wrestling. Bradshaw made his wrestling debut in 1986, facing off against Harley Race at a World Class Championship Wrestling event. He would go on to wrestle a few more times, including a match against Andre the Giant.
While Bradshaw was never a full-time wrestler, he did have some success in the ring. His matches were always entertaining, and he even managed to pick up a win over Andre the Giant. If anything, Terry Bradshaw proved that NFL players can transition into professional wrestling and be successful.
8. Fred Dryer
Fred Dryer was a defensive end who played for the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time All-Pro. He is also the only player in NFL history to score two safeties in the same game.
After his football career, Dryer became a professional wrestler. He wrestled for various promotions, including the American Wrestling Association, World Championship Wrestling, and Extreme Championship Wrestling. He is a one-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion and a one-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion.
Dryer is considered one of the best NFL players to have ever become a professional wrestler. His size, strength, and athleticism made him a natural fit for the sport. He was also a skilled promoter and had the ability to connect with audiences.
9. Mark Gastineau
Mark Gastineau was an All-Pro defensive end for the New York Jets from 1979 to 1988. He is best known for his sack dance, which he would perform after sacking the quarterback. Gastineau was inducted into the Jets’ Ring of Honor in 2012.
Gastineau retired from football in 1988 and began wrestling professionally in 1989. He wrestled for several promotions, including World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). He had a memorable feud with Hulk Hogan in WCW and also feuded with Masahiro Chono in NJPW.
Gastineau retired from wrestling in 2000 and has since made occasional appearances on television and film. He currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.
10. Booker T
Booker T is one of the best NFL players who became wrestlers. He played for the Green Bay Packers and the New England Patriots before becoming a professional wrestler. He is a five-time world champion and has won numerous other titles.
Booker T is one of the best NFL players who became wrestlers. He was a member of the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) from 1993 to 2001, and he is currently a part-time wrestler with WWE.
Booker T’s wrestling career began in 1992 when he was discovered by World Championship Wrestling (WCW) President Jim Herd. Herd originally wanted to sign Booker T to a contract as a tag team partner for Sting, but Booker T declined and instead signed with WCW as a singles competitor.
He made his professional wrestling debut at Halloween Havoc in October 1992, defeating Steve Austin in a tournament to become the new Television Champion. Over the next few years, Booker T would go on to have success as both a singles and tag team wrestler in WCW, winning multiple championships including the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.
In 2001, Booker T left WCW when it was sold to the Vince McMahon-owned World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He made his debut in WWE at Survivor Series that year, and he quickly established himself as one of the top superstars in the company.
Over the next decade, Booker T would win multiple championships in WWE including the World Heavyweight Championship, United States Championship, and Tag Team Championships. He also had successful runs as both a singles and tag team wrestler, cementing his legacy as one of the best NFL players who became wrestlers.