SUMMARY
- Many WWE superstars had a different career choice before becoming pro wrestlers.
- Several WWE superstars previously had a career in football.
WWE superstars have made a huge name for themselves in the world of pro wrestling. Also, they have gained popularity among the fans for their in-ring skills. Meanwhile, it is worth mentioning that several superstars had chosen a different career path before stepping foot into the world of professional wrestling.
However, they ultimately chose the path of pro wrestling and never looked back. Meanwhile, there are a few superstars who had a career in the NFL before coming into the world of pro wrestling. With that, here’s a look at five such WWE legends.
5. Brian Pillman
Brian William Pillman, aka Brian Pillman, was a well-known name in the world of pro wrestling. Meanwhile, it is to be noted that he was previously a professional football player. However, in the 1984 NFL Draft, he went undrafted.
Thereafter, he became a part of the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals as a free agent. Moving ahead, in 1986, he played for the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders. Apart from that, in 1985, Pillman played for the NFL’s Buffalo Bills. However, his football career wasn’t a long-lasting one and soon saw its end. Meanwhile, after his football career ended, his pro wrestling career began.
1) Brian Pillman went undrafted during the 1984 NFL Draft but ended up in his hometown Cincinnati Bengals.
Despite being undersized, Brian was known for his incredible work ethic, earning him the Ed Block Courage Award. pic.twitter.com/MWOe1kb9Tr
— The Signature Spot (@SignatureSpot) February 12, 2023
Brian is well known among the fans for his appearances in several wrestling promotions. This includes Stampede Wrestling, WCW, ECW, WWF/WWE, and more. During his tenure with these promotions, Pillman participated in many storylines and feuds.
He also bagged several championships to his name. This includes winning the WCW Light Heavyweight Championship twice, the WCW World Tag Team Championship once, and more. Also, he has been included in the Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, he is no longer present among us. Since he passed away on October 5, 1997, at the age of 35.
4. Lex Luger
Lawrence Wendell Pfohl, better known as Lex Luger, is a multi-talented personality. Besides being a professional wrestler, he was also a bodybuilder and a football player. Previously, he played professional football for the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes.
Moving ahead, he became a part of the NFL’s Green Bay Packers. However, he never played a game with them. Throughout the 1982 season, Luger was on the team’s injured reserve list. Thereafter, he was released before the beginning of the next season.
Lex Luger when he was with the Green Bay Packers. pic.twitter.com/Uu14q662zL
— Wrestling News (@WrestlingNewsCo) March 24, 2024
Finally, in 1984, Luger’s football career came to an end. Thereafter, in 1985, Lex made his in-ring debut. He is extremely popular among the fans for his tenure with various wrestling promotions. This includes Jim Crockett Promotions, WCW, WWF/WWE, and more.
Throughout his tenure with various wrestling promotions, he bagged many championships to his name. This includes winning the WCW World Heavyweight Championship twice, the WCW World Television Championship twice, and more. Meanwhile, after a long-stretched career, Luger took his retirement from the ring in 2006. However, his stories inside the ring are still talked about among the fans.
3. Ron Simmons
Ronald Simmons, also known as Ron Simmons, is a popular name in the world of wrestling. However, before becoming a pro wrestler, Simmons was a professional football player. Previously, Ron was selected in the 1981 NFL Draft.
Thereafter, Simmons had a brief career in the NFL. In 1981 and 1982, he was a player for the Cleveland Browns. Also, from 1983 to 1985, he played for the USFL’s Tampa Bay Bandits. However, in 1986, he stepped foot into the world of pro wrestling.
With that, he gained popularity during his tenure with WCW and WWE. Throughout his pro wrestling career, Ron became a part of several storylines. Also, he participated in many feuds. Not to mention, in WWF/WWE, fans knew him by the names Faarooq Asaad and Faarooq.
Meanwhile, throughout his tenure with several wrestling promotions, he bagged many championships to his name. This includes winning the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship once, the WWF Tag Team Championship three times, and more.
Also, Ron Simmons has been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012. However, he previously wrestled his last match in 2012. Since then, he has been making sporadic appearances in the Stamford-based promotion. With that, it is to be seen when he will make his next appearance on WWE television.
2. Goldberg
William Scott Goldberg, popularly known as Goldberg, is a pro wrestler and actor. However, prior to his venture into the world of wrestling, he was a professional football player and played as a defensive tackle. Previously, in the 1990 NFL Draft, he was selected by the Los Angeles Rams.
Thereafter, in the 1990 season, he played for the Los Angeles Rams. Moving ahead, in the 1995 NFL Draft, he was selected by the Carolina Panthers. However, Goldberg never played a single game with the team. With that, he later tore his lower abdomen off his pelvis, which marked the end of his NFL career.
Soon, Goldberg stepped foot into the world of pro wrestling and never looked back. He became popular with the fans during his tenure with WWE and WCW. During his tenure with these promotions, he headlined multiple pay-per-view events and won many Championships.
In WWE, Goldberg won the World Heavyweight Championship once and the WWE Universal Championship twice. Apart from that, he has also been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018. Meanwhile, Goldberg’s final WWE match took place in 2022. It will be interesting to see if he ever decides to make a comeback inside the squared circle.
1. Brock Lesnar
Brock Edward Lesnar, aka Brock Lesnar, is a famous name in the world of pro wrestling. However, he previously had a career in football. Earlier, in 2004, Lesnar kept aside his WWE career to pursue a career in the NFL.
Thereafter, he joined the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL. However, during pre-season, he was cut from the team. Moving ahead, Lesnar suffered a serious injury. He suffered a broken jaw and left hand. Also, the WWE superstar suffered a pulled groin and bruised pelvis. This apparently marked the end of his football career.
Soon, Lesnar made his return to the world of pro wrestling. Thereafter, he participated in many storylines and feuds. Also, he won many championships. In WWE, The Beast Incarnate won the WWE Championship seven times, the WWE Universal Championship three times, and more.
Meanwhile, as of writing, Brock Lesnar has been a part of the Stamford-based promotion. However, he has been on hiatus for a long time. With that, it will be interesting to see what lies ahead for The Beast Incarnate in the largest wrestling promotion in the world.
Thus, these are the five WWE legends who had a stint in the National Football League before becoming a part of the pro wrestling world. Meanwhile, they have established themselves well among pro wrestling fans, who often talk about their in-ring stories and the legacy they have left behind.
