10 Former NFL Players Who Successfully Transitioned to Pro Wrestling
There’s a surprising number of NFL players who left the field behind and found success in the world of professional wrestling. These 10 athletes demonstrated that the skills they acquired in football could be effectively applied to wrestling.
Brian Pillman
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Brian Pillman is one of the most iconic names in wrestling history. He briefly played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills, although his football career was short-lived. After football, his wrestling career took off. He became a member of legendary tag teams, including the Hollywood Blondes, and stables such as the Four Horsemen and the Hart Foundation. He won multiple championships across several wrestling promotions before his untimely passing.
“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan
Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan’s NFL career was cut short by knee injuries. However, he found greater fame in the WWE, where he became the first wrestler to win the Royal Rumble. He had a long and successful career in professional wrestling, winning titles across multiple promotions and eventually being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. His signature 2×4 and “Hoooo!” chant made him a fan favorite.
Verne Gagne
Credit: Wikipedia
Before making a name for himself in professional wrestling, Verne Gagne got drafted into the NFL’s Chicago Bears but signed with the Green Bay Packers in 1949. His football career was solid but relatively short, as his true passion lay in wrestling. Gagne went on to become one of the biggest stars of the 1960s and 1970s, who won numerous championships and earned an induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Dick The Bruiser
Credit: Wikipedia
This former Green Bay Packers player made an impact in the wrestling world after his career was cut short by a throat injury. The injury gave him a gravelly voice that became his trademark in the ring. Dick the Bruiser became a wrestling legend, known for his rough style and hard-hitting persona.
Wahoo McDaniel
Credit: Wikipedia
Wahoo McDaniel played for teams like the Houston Oilers, Denver Broncos, New York Jets, and Miami Dolphins as a linebacker and guard in the NFL for nearly a decade. While still playing football, he began working as a part-time wrestler, eventually transitioning to full-time after his football career ended. He became a wrestling star in the 1970s, where he had memorable feuds and earned his place in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Big Van Vader
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Big Van Vader’s football career with the LA Rams was cut short by an injury, but it was in the wrestling world where he made his biggest impact. Vader became a worldwide star in promotions like WCW and WWE. He was inducted into several Halls of Fame, including the WWE Hall of Fame.
Steve “Mongo” McMichael
Credit: Youtube
Steve “Mongo” McMichael’s 14-year NFL career included a Super Bowl win with the Chicago Bears. After leaving football, McMichael transitioned to wrestling, joining WCW and later becoming a member of the Four Horsemen. His NFL experience helped him connect with fans in the wrestling world, and he soon won the WCW United States Title.
“The Big Cat” Ernie Ladd
Credit: IMDb
By playing for teams like the San Diego Chargers, Houston Oilers, and Kansas City Chiefs, “The Big Cat” Ernie Ladd spent nearly a decade in the NFL. After football, he transitioned into wrestling, where he became one of the biggest stars of the 1970s and 1980s. Ladd’s athletic background helped him dominate in the ring. His impact in both football and wrestling earned him a spot in several Hall of Fames.
Goldberg
Credit: Youtube
His NFL career was something Goldberg enjoyed with the Rams, Falcons, and Panthers. However, it was short-lived due to an injury, but his wrestling career took off once he joined WCW. His undefeated streak made him a massive star, and his transition from football to wrestling was one of the most successful in the industry.
Ron Simmons
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Though Ron Simmons’ NFL stint was brief, his wrestling career was anything but. He became the first recognized African American to hold the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. He was part of iconic stables such as the APA and the Nation of Domination. Simmons won championships in the NWA, WCW, and WWE, and his legendary status was solidified with his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.