Stand back, Louis-Rees Zammit – I’m the Olympic gold medal wrestler who’s trying to ‘do the impossible’ by making an NFL team after being signed by WWE
Gable Steveson already has an Olympic gold medal.
The 6ft 1in and 265lb big man also won two NCAA heavyweight championships as a wrestler, then spent time in the WWE.
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But now Steveson is a 24-year-old rookie trying to fulfill his ultimate athletic dream.
Making the Buffalo Bills' roster and training camp as a defensive lineman, playing in the NFL, and turning his early wrestling days into a real football career.
"This is personal to me," Steveson said. "I want to be the guy who makes it."
Louis-Rees Zammit has consistently been in the news since leaving Wales rugby behind and signing with the reigning Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs.
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Charlie Smyth is a former Gaelic footballer who's now trying to make the New Orleans Saints' Week 1 roster and just drilled a 37-yard field goal with eight seconds to go to clinch a 16-14 preseason victory.
Steveson's story overpowers both.
He was great as a college wrestler and even better in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, tasting gold in the men’s freestyle 125kg.
Rees-Zammit is trying to find a home with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Andy Reid and a Chiefs team hoping to become the first in NFL history to pull off a three-peat.
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Steveson has to overcome even more, turning a beefy frame made for explosive mat takedowns into a quick and agile force that can cut through opposing offensive lines and find an elusive quarterback.
During a recent 33-6 defeat to Chicago, Steveson was one of 90 players trying to make a 53-man Buffalo Bills roster.
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In 14 snaps, Steveson produced a tackle and QB pressure, despite only recently putting on football cleats for the first time.
"My first football gave, ever," Steveson said. "Definitely a great time, definitely cool to see all the Buffalo Bills fans come out.
"Not the way we wanted it to end, but it's preseason, we're here to grow and we're here to get better."
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Buffalo is again trying to improve in 2024.
Despite having a Super Bowl-worthy QB in Josh Allen, the Bills were dragged down by drama last season.
They finished 11-6 and atop the AFC East.
But Buffalo fell to Kansas City in the playoffs and star wide receiver Stefon Diggs traded the Bills for Houston in the offseason.
Steveson caught Buffalo's attention and signed with the playoff-hopeful team on May 31.
His 265lb weight is light for a defensive tackle -- new teammate Ed Oliver weighs 287 -- and Steveson will have even less time than Rees-Zammit to process a large playbook while learning an entirely different sport.
Rugby and American football have clear similiarities.
Wrestling and the NFL are worlds apart.
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Steveson, who signed a historic NIL deal with the WWE while defending his college title at the University of Minnesota, has the athletic talent to dominate.
Now he just needs to find a roster spot with Buffalo and endear himself to the Bills Mafia.
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