Buffalo Bills Sign Olympic Gold Medalist Wrestler Gable Steveson as Defensive Tackle
The Buffalo Bills have signed Olympic gold medalist wrestler Gable Steveson to attempt making the team as a defensive tackle, despite having no experience in football.
Steveson, who won the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as a super heavyweight (125 kg) at age 21, had a brief stint in professional wrestling's WWE before being released in May 2022. He is also a two-time NCAA Division I national champion and won the Dan Hodge Trophy, awarded to the nation's top college wrestler.
The Bills expressed interest in Steveson after his WWE release and brought him in for a visit two weeks ago. The team announced his signing on Friday.
Steveson is expected to play defensive line, something he has never done before during his athletic career. The first time he ever put on a pair of cleats was at a recent workout for the Bills.
Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott, who has a championship high school wrestling background, wanted Steveson to play defensive line and believes he has the potential to make an impact. The Bills were impressed with his level of talent but also know how raw he is, making him a potential ideal practice squad candidate in 2024.
Steveson's signing comes after the Bills drafted former English rugby player Travis Clayton in the seventh round of the NFL Draft last month. Clayton, who is projected to play offensive line, also has no prior football experience.
Despite his lack of football experience, Steveson is confident that his wrestling skills will translate to the gridiron. He said in a statement released by his agent: 'I have been fortunate to compete at the highest level of competition in my sport but am looking forward to the challenge of seeing how my wrestling skills may translate to football. I am grateful to Coach McDermott, [general manager] Brandon Beane and the Buffalo Bills organization for giving me this opportunity.'
Steveson's signing marks another unusual move by the Bills, who have a history of taking chances on unconventional players. In 2019, they signed former high school quarterback Jake Fromm as an undrafted free agent and he went on to make the team as a backup quarterback. In 2018, they signed former Canadian Football League player Trent Murphy as a linebacker and he made the Pro Bowl in his first season with the team.