The NFL has produced some of the greatest athletes of all time as well as some of the greatest personalities. These players are able to combine their larger-than-life personas with their physicality to become some of the most well-known players in the league. That said, NFL careers aren’t guaranteed and many of them found new life in other avenues, but former players find new life in professional wrestling as they can boldly use the best of both abilities. These are 10 of the Greatest NFL Players Turned Pro Wrestlers:
This list focuses on full-time wrestlers, so guys like Lawrence Taylor and Pat McAfee won’t be seen here.
Baron Corbin
Baron Corbin is an NXT original who has worked his way up the WWE ladder over the years. Known for several gimmicks over the years, most notably the Lone Wolf, the 6’8” big man has run through the roster, earning Championships as well as competing for the company’s top prize. Among the most recognizable stars today, Corbin left his mark on the WWE.
Though his career as a wrestler is what he’s known for, Corbin originally played in the NFL. His real name is Thomas Pestock and he was an offensive lineman was an undrafted free agent who was signed to the Indianapolis Colts in 2009. He would sign with the Arizona Cardinals as a practice squad talent but would be out of the league by 2011, and he would sign with the WWE.
Hacksaw Jim Duggan
One of the staples of 1980s wrestling, Hacksaw Jim Duggan is one of the most recognizable wrestlers of all time. Duggan was a big man, who carried his trusty 2×4 to the ring and showed the patriotism that helped him to stand out in the WWF golden era. From promotion to promotion, Duggan carved out a great career, which included a WWE Hall of Fame induction.
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Duggan’s path to pro wrestling prominence also started on the gridiron. A former stand-out athlete, James Duggan, his real name, was a multi-sport athlete and captained his team at Southern Methodist University. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons, but his career was cut short following numerous knee injuries. Duggan would take much of his football career into pro wrestling, using his large frame and three-point stance clothesline as his finisher.
Dick The Bruiser
An old-school wrestler, Dick the Bruiser is one of the most physical wrestlers in history. A natural heel, the Bruiser has faced wrestling royalty in his days. The 6’2”, 260 lb bruiser had a bad attitude in the ring and used his grave voice to instill fear in opponents such as Classie Freddie Blassie, Bobo Brazil, and Lou Thesz. Among the most decorated champions in history, every wrestling fan should study the Bruiser’s career.
Before becoming a pro wrestler, Bruiser was a stand-out football player. Then known as William Afflis, he was drafted by the Green Bay Packers as a lineman. He played in every regular season game for the Packers from 1951-54 and even gained his signature voice following a larynx injury on the field. Shortly after leaving football, he would enter the world of professional wrestling, where he became a 15-time world champion.
Brian Pillman
Whether you know him as “Flyin’ Brian” or “The Loose Cannon”, Brian Pillman was a wrestler far ahead of his time. The highflyer was a wizard in the ring, could work a match against anyone, and his reckless, what will he do next ability on the microphone made him a must-see wrestler. Throughout the 1990s, the former Hart Foundation member is one who left a massive impact, though Pillman was gone far too soon.
Pillman wasn’t only just a football player, but he was a former All-American. Pillman was a standout linebacker in college before joining the NFL as an undrafted free agent to the Cincinnati Bengals. He played for the Bengals and the Bills before he would transition to pro wrestling. His football frame and highflying would fit into any era, making him one of the most exciting additions.
Vader
When talking about wrestlers who revolutionized the business, no wrestler combined athleticism and size better than Big Van Vader. At 6’5” and 450 lbs, Vader was incredibly athletic for his size, pulling off moonsaults, drop kicks, and other moves that no other wrestler his size should ever be able to do. A multiple-time world champion, Vader is not only in the conversation for the greatest big man in wrestling history, but he’s also in the conversation for the greatest wrestler.
Before becoming an athletic big man, Vader, real name Leon White, was an NFL player who even made the Super Bowl. Though he didn’t play a single snap in his career due to injuries, White was a 3rd round pick to the LA Rams in 1978 and received an NFC Championship ring in 1980 before losing in Superbowl XIV. Knee injuries forced him away from the NFL, but he would create a legendary career post-retirement.
Bronko Nagurski
Though his name isn’t well known among wrestling fans, Bronko Nagurski was a walking legend regardless of the sport. Nagurski was a multiple-time World Heavyweight Champion as a member of the National Wrestling Alliance, even beating all-time great Lou Thesz for the world title. Recognized for his ability and one of the trailblazers in early wrestling, Nagurski is among the unsung greats.
On the opposite side, Nagurski is an NFL Hall of Famer and multiple-time NFL champion. Best known for his time as a Chicago Bear, Nagurski played Fullback and Center, helping lead the Bears to 3 NFL Championships in his tenure. His elite size and rushing ability made him a Hall of Famer in both the NFL and College, a feat few other wrestlers hold, if any.
Ron Simmons
Ron Simmons was more than a great wrestler, he was a groundbreaking wrestler. Enjoying two Hall of Fame level runs in WCW and WWF as Faarooq, Simmons was the first ever Black WCW Champion before going to WWF to become the leader of the Nation of Domination. After becoming a part of the APA, Simmons captured multiple championships and became one of the most beloved wrestlers of all time.
Simmons carved out his own Hall of Fame career before ever becoming a wrestler. The former Defensive Tackle for Florida State was dominant enough to join the College Football Hall of Fame, and it earned him a 6th-round pick to the Cleveland Browns. He played in the NFL for two years before bouncing to another team and ultimately joining professional wrestling.
Bill Goldberg
Goldberg is one of the biggest success stories in pro wrestling. The former WCW Power Plant graduate had one of the greatest winning streaks in wrestling history, going 176-0, grabbing multiple titles, and taking this momentum into WWE, where he became a multiple-time World Champion and one of the biggest names in pro wrestling. Goldberg’s dominance is legendary.
Before joining WCW, Goldberg had a 5 year NFL career. After being drafted by the LA Rams in 1990, Goldberg played Defensive Tackle 2 years in LA before joining the Atlanta Falcons for 3 years. Goldberg would play 14 total games, and start 1 game. Though he didn’t have the most successful gridiron career, he would take his hitting prowess into WCW to become one of the most iconic wrestlers of all time.
Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns is the biggest star in pro wrestling today. The “Head of the Table” as of this writing is in the middle of a historic 1,000+ day reign as Universal and WWE Champion. After debuting as a member of The Shield, Reigns was fast-tracked to the top, and his ascension has paid off as he continues to be one of the top draws in modern wrestling. With both physicality and character work, the Tribal Chief is enjoying his peak as the guy in WWE.
Unfortunately, Reigns’ football career ended before it could start. An undrafted free agent for the Minnesota Vikings, the real-life Joe Anoa’i was released after a leukemia diagnosis, but would sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but was let go shortly after signing. Though his football career didn’t pan out, being the top dog of the biggest pro wrestling promotion in the world is arguably better for him.
Ernie Ladd
If someone were to build a pro wrestling heel from the ground up, it would be “The Big Cat” Ernie Ladd. At 6’9”, 300 lbs, Ladd was an absolute mountain who also had the character work to back it up. Feuding with some of the top stars in the 1970s, the late giant used a pro-segregation gimmick in the heat of tensions to become one of the top heels of his generation and deserves his place as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
A star college football player, Ladd was dominant enough to be drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 4th round in 1961, though he would sign with the then AFL San Diego Chargers. Ladd was a 3 time AFL First Team member and a member of the 1963 AFL Championship team. Ladd would also famously be a part of the 1965 All-Star Game walkout, in contrast to his in-ring character. Ladd isn’t just a great wrestler. He was a great football player.
