Top 10 wrestlers who played in NFL; Top 10 NFL stars who were wrestlers
BY GARY ABBOTT, USA WRESTLING | JAN. 30, 2020,
PODCAST: How Wrestling Built Me featuring Stephen Neal
Wrestling and football have been linked, going way back in time. On the high school and youth levels, many football players also wrestled. In some instances, there are college athletes who competed in both football and wrestling, much more in the earlier years, but it is still going on. Just in 2019, Fresno State football running back Josh Hokit became a Div. I All-American in wrestling. It can be done.
During the 2013 year when it was recommended that wrestling no longer be on the Olympic program, USA Wrestling did extensive research on wrestlers who competed in the NFL. We compiled a huge list, something that helped us bring more attention to wrestling in the USA as we battled our way back into the Olympic Games.
There are two ways to look at this thing. Who was the best wrestler, who also competed in the NFL? Who was the best football player, who also wrestled? For fun, we will provide a top 10 list for both questions. (Please remember that this is just one man’s opinion).
Best Wrestlers who played in the NFL
We have a lot to choose from, including a World champion, an Olympian, and a few NCAA wrestling champions and some multiple NCAA All-Americans. Clearly, the top choice is 1999 World champion and two-time NCAA champion Stephen Neal, who won three Super Bowl rings as an offensive lineman for the New England Patriots. Neal won his NCAA titles for Cal-Bakersfield.
Right there at No. 2 is three-time NCAA Div. I champion and three-time NCAA Div. II champion Carlton Haselrig, who played on the offensive line for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Haselrig wrestled for Pitt-Johnstown.
Both Neal and Haselrig are Distinguished Members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and neither of them played college football. 1964 Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler Bob Pickens, who played on the offensive line for the Chicago Bears, gets in at No. 3. Next is two-time NCAA wrestling champion Jim Nance of Syracuse, a running back for the New England Patriots. Add in NCAA champions Curly Culp of Arizona State (who is also in the NFL Hall of Fame) and Art Baker of Syracuse.
We included two-time NCAA wrestling All-Americans Bob Golic (Notre Dame), Charlie Getty (Penn State) and Steve Sefter (Penn State), and Oklahoma State wrestler John Ward, who reached third at the NCAA Wrestling Championships. We also have a few Honorable Mention wrestlers in the NFL who were NCAA Div. I All-Americans. I know many great wrestlers on the high school level may have only played football in college, but we have to give props to those guys who were All-American college wrestlers, regardless of how good some of the others were in high school.
TOP 10 WRESTLERS WHO PLAYED IN NFL
1. Stephen Neal, New England Patriots OL** – 1999 World freestyle champion, 2x NCAA wrestling champion (Cal-Bakersfield) 4th 1966, 2nd 1997, 1st 1998, 1st 1999
2. Carlton Haselrig, Pittsburgh Steelers OL** – 3x NCAA Div. I champion, 3x NCAA Div. II champion (Pitt-Johnstown), Div. I champion (1987-1989), Div. II champion (1987-1989), 3rd 1986 Div. II
3. Bob Pickens, Chicago Bears, OL – 1964 U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman Team member
4. Jim Nance, New England Patriots, RB – 2x NCAA wrestling champion (Syracuse), 1963 and 1965 champion
5. Curly Culp, Kansas City Chiefs, DL – NCAA wrestling champion (Arizona State), 1967 champion
6. Art Baker, Buffalo Bills, RB – NCAA wrestling champion (Syracuse), 1959 champion
7. Bob Golic, Cleveland Browns, DL – 2x NCAA wrestling All-American (Notre Dame), 3rd 1978, 4th 1977 …. rest of the lists and story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/January/30/Best-wrestlers-who-were-also-in-the-NFL?mc_cid=0c135afe6f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
College News, Notes & Results – # 61
Lindsey-Willson FALLS TO CAMPBELLSVILLE 25-18 IN THE BATTLE OF HIGHWAY 55
COLUMBIA, Ky. – The No. 4-ranked Lindsey Wilson wrestling team fell to Campbellsville (Ky.) 25-18 on Wednesday evening during the Battle of Highway 55 at Biggers Sports Center. Cagen Wallace (No. 6 at 125) opened the night with a six-point win when Campbellsville forfeited the opening 125-pound match. After a scoreless first period, Sam Bacon took control of his match in the second frame against Kolten Randaz (No. 9 at 133). Bacon used a series of four-point near falls to build a 10-0 lead. The freshman powered his way to a tech fall victory by a final score of 16-1 during the third period while accumulating over two minutes of ride time. … story at http://www.lindseyathletics.com/article/12363.php?mc_cid=efd3bacf82&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Dragons go pin crazy in big win over Rochester
Tiffin University lived up to its 8th-ranked reputation, easily crushing Rochester 49-4 behind seven wins by fall. Opening at 165 pounds, Bryan LaVearn got things off on the right note with a big 12-5 victory. Then the pins started, as national falls leader Hayden Bronne increased his national lead with a pin at 174 pounds in 1:33. Richard Screptock (184 pounds) kept the train rolling, nearly matching Bronne with a pin in 2:09. Nicolas Smythe (197) had the night’s fastest fall, dispatching his opponent in 52 seconds, while David Henson followed right behind at 285 pounds with a powerful fall in 2:18. …. story at https://www.gotiffindragons.com/sports/wrest/2019-20/releases/20200129uxtlrk?mc_cid=efd3bacf82&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
The connection between Penn wrestling and engineering is one that runs decades deep
Eleven of the team’s 38 wrestlers are engineers
Studying engineering at a school like Penn is no easy feat by itself, but a select group of wrestlers somehow makes it work every year along with their time on the mat. Penn wrestling has historically been closely tied to the School of Engineering and Applied Science, with a significant number of team members drawn to the rigorous yet well-renowned programs it offers. … story at https://www.thedp.com/article/2020/01/penn-wrestling-engineering-connection-artalona-antrassian-rodzianko-springman?mc_cid=efd3bacf82&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Alex Thomsen feels at home with NU wrestling, looks to finish season strong
Redshirt freshman and Iowa native Alex Thomsen had a traditional, yet compelling path to Nebraska wrestling. He was recruited hard by Nebraska from the start, in particular by associate head coach Bryan Snyder. Thomsen was eventually chased by successful in-state programs such as Iowa and Iowa State, but it was too late, as he had already made his decision. “I just felt really at home at Nebraska, like I belonged, that they wanted me there,” Thomsen said. “I knew I would have the chance to grow as a wrestler in Lincoln.” Despite being from Neola, Iowa, Thomsen has a connection to Nebraska as his high school head coach Joe Stephens wrestled at Nebraska from 1992 to 1995. This did not impact Thomsen’s decision to come to Nebraska, he said, and Stephens allowed him to make his own choice without guiding him in any particular direction. …. story at http://www.dailynebraskan.com/sports/alex-thomsen-feels-at-home-with-nu-wrestling-looks-to/article_b8e66afa-423b-11ea-9a40-5b50eadbd53d.html?mc_cid=efd3bacf82&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Scranton Matches All-Time Win Total with Victories over Del. Valley, Camden County CC
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. – The University of Scranton wrestling team made history on Thursday night at Delaware Valley, as the Royals collected dual match victories over the host Rams (36-15) and Camden County Community College (42-9) to match the program record for most dual match victories in a season.With the victories, Scranton is now 15-7, which matches the mark set by the 2016-17 Royals, who finished the dual bout season 15-4 overall. Here are some highlights of the evening. …. story at https://athletics.scranton.edu/sports/wrest/2019-20/releases/20200130wigl76?mc_cid=0c135afe6f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
York College Spartans Post Comeback Victory Over Gettysburg
YORK, Pa. – The York College wrestling team claimed four of the final five bouts to earn a 27-17 come-from-behind victory over Gettysburg on Thursday night in front of the home crowd at Wolf Gym. The Spartans won six bouts overall on the night with bonus points in four of those victories. … story and details at https://ycp.prestosports.com/sports/wrest/2019-20/releases/20200130ykf0n1?mc_cid=0c135afe6f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
#25 Cloud County Grabs 29-21 Road Victory At Northwest Kansas Tech
GOODLAND, Kan. – In their only action of the week, the number 25-ranked Cloud County Community College wrestling team would trek west and earn a 29-21 road victory over Northwest Kansas Technical College inside the Memorial Student Union Assembly Room in Goodland, Kansas on Wednesday, January 29th. The victory closes out Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference West Division dual action for the T-Birds, with CCCC going 2-1 in their three division duals while winning their third straight dual. … story at http://cloudtbirds.com/sports/wrest/2019-20/releases/20200130h468nm?mc_cid=0c135afe6f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Multi-Divisional Insider: Grand View’s Hansen on the march toward NAIA history
It was 2002 and Evan Hansen was a Kindergartner sitting in front of his television watching the NCAA Division I wrestling finals. The culmination of that evening was Iowa State’s Cael Sanderson capping off a perfect 159-0 career with his fourth NCAA championship. “I turned to my parents and said, ‘I want to be like that guy,’ and here we are,” Hansen said. Seventeen years later, Hansen has been a lot like Sanderson on the wrestling mat. With one home match left in his stellar career at Grand View University in Des Moines — Feb. 7 against Graceland University — Hansen is in the latter stages of one of the most impressive careers in NAIA wrestling history. Already a three-time national champion, Hansen has a shot in March to become just the eighth NAIA wrestler, and first since Brock Gutches of Southern Oregon, to win four titles. … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?postId=292705135&mc_cid=0c135afe6f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Coal City native Noah Adams making noise with 24-0 record, No. 2 national ranking
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — With nineteen wins and an NCAA Tournament appearance in his freshman campaign last winter, Independence High School grad Noah Adams authored a strong opening season to his WVU wrestling career. In his redshirt freshman season, Adams posted a 19-15 record and was seeded 20th in the NCAA Tournament, winning one match at nationals. “It was definitely the biggest tournament I had wrestled in,” Adams said. It was not like anything I had done before. I think it was a great experience for me last year to get there and see what it is like. Now going into this year, I feel like I will be a little more prepared for that environment. I think I can go up there and create a lot of noise.” As the calendar turns to February, Adams has created a great deal of noise in college wrestling circles. He is undefeated in 24 bouts. After starting the season with little national acclaim, Adams checked in at No. 2 in the initial NCAA coaches’ panel rankings last week in his 197-pound weight class. … rest of the story at http://wvmetronews.com/2020/01/30/coal-city-native-noah-adams-making-noise-with-24-0-record-no-2-national-ranking/?mc_cid=0c135afe6f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
NO. 8 CAROLINA TOPS NO. 17 CORNELL, 21-13
ITHACA, N.Y. — Brandon Whitman’s upset of No. 3 Ben Darmstadt at 197 pounds helped lead No. 8 North Carolina to a 21-13 win over No. 17 Cornell Sunday. Joey Melendez won via fall at 125 pounds late in the dual to secure the victory for the Tar Heels.
With the dual starting at 149 pounds, No. 3 Austin O’Connor and No. 16 A.C. Headlee won with back-to-back decisions to kick off the afternoon for Carolina. Their wins were followed by Sawyer Davidson’s 8-4 decision over Chris Schoenherr at 165 pounds, his second dual-meet win of the season to give UNC an early 9-0 lead.
Clay Lautt blanked Andrew Berreyesa at 174 pounds, a 6-0 win to extend the team score to 12-0.
After Cornell took the 184-pound match, sophomore Brandon Whitman put on one of the most impressive performances of the season against No. 3 Ben Darmstadt. He fired out of the gate with an early takedown and kept pace for a full seven minutes. He won a 6-2 decision to push the dual meet in UNC’s direction.
Cornell took a sudden victory match at heavyweight before Melendez’s late-match heroics. Off of a scramble at the edge, Melendez locked up a cradle against Dom LaJoie late in the third period and finished a pin, securing the match for the Tar Heels.
Cornell won the final two bouts of the night, but UNC’s early dominance proved enough for a 21-13 win. … rest of the story at https://goheels.com/news/2020/2/16/wrestling-no-8-carolina-tops-no-17-cornell-21-13.aspx
Increased High School participation
How one high school wrestling team dramatically increased participation by putting kids first
ROLLA, Mo. – Marty Hauck looks at the depth chart of his Rolla High School wrestling team in his office. Each name has a story. Hauck, who is passionately devoted to using wrestling to help build character, commitment and discipline in as many students as possible, starts rattling off the stories.
This boy is the state champion who travels nationally for meets and dreams of becoming an Olympian and majoring in biology. That girl convinced her skeptical Muslim parents to let her wrestle and hopes to start the sport for girls in Saudi Arabia when she moves back there soon. This boy never competes – he simply practices because it’s fun and worries he might get injured in a match that would impact his baseball season.
Those three on the depth chart? They moved out of their homes and live on their own due to difficult family situations.
“Some of these kids, when I ask what mom and dad did over the weekend, they say, ‘Well, they did a little meth,’” Hauck says. “‘What do you mean they did a little meth?’ ‘They’re not like a meth head, Coach. They just do a little to relax on the weekend.’ Some of these kids, it’s nothing for them to come home and the parents are smoking a bong and they want them to join. These kids are making choices bigger than I know.”
What stands out the most about Rolla’s depth chart isn’t any one story. It’s the sheer volume of names, each with his or her own story.
There were 113 wrestlers at the start of this season – a staggering increase from the 26 wrestlers on the team five years ago when Hauck took over the program and the most participants the school has seen since the 1980s. About 9% of Rolla High School students came out this season for wrestling, even more than football. …. rest of the story at https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/highschool/2020/01/30/how-high-school-wrestling-team-dramatically-increased-participation/2854356001/?mc_cid=0c135afe6f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
USA Wrestling for Peace: Program Leaders deliver wrestling gear to Guatemala
BY USA WRESTLING FOR PEACE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE U.S. WRESTLING FOUNDATION | JAN. 30, 2020,
Photo of USA Wrestling for Peace program leaders distributing gear to youth wrestlers in Guatemala.
The wrestling community within the United States continues to help wrestlers in need around the world. Throughout the year, USA Wrestling for Peace (USAW4P) collected wrestling gear for youth in other countries. Olympic Gold Medalist, Steve Fraser and Program Manager, Lorraine Rorabaugh are in Guatemala this week to deliver the essential equipment needed to help their national wrestling federation grow their youth wrestling programs.
Wrestling helps develop resilience, grit and perseverance. Guatemala hopes to instill that character in their youth and develop their next generation of leaders.
“Guatemala’s youth are often affected by violence, crime, drugs and poverty and wrestling offers them a path to resist and overcome these challenges”, said Francisco Lee, President of United World Wrestling Americas.
USA Wrestling started their collection drive at the USMC Junior/16U Nationals in Fargo, N.D. this July. Wrestlers and their families graciously provided wrestling shoes, singlets, and workout gear for the kids in Guatemala.
“We are so grateful to all the people that donated to support this trip. It is a great honor to represent USA Wrestling in this mission,” commented Fraser.
Many people and organizations are helping to make this happen. Dollamur, an official sponsor of USA Wrestling, continued to lead the way by providing wrestling mats.
“We can’t thank them enough for what they do for this program and are true partners in growing wrestling and helping communities,” Fraser said.
Suples, another official sponsor of USA Wrestling, sent their famous Bulgarian bags and throwing dummies for the kids. These are items that Fraser knows will make a serious impact.
“This is a great gift for wrestling in Guatemala. Learning how to move with weight is a critical development process in wrestling, plus the kids have a lot of fun learning how to throw, this is a natural fit,” he said.
Barbarian Apparel and Cliff Keen provided boxes of new wrestling gear that will excite the kids and give them an identity that stands out.
“Everywhere we go, kids get the biggest smiles when we hand them new uniforms. The coaches say it makes them feel like they are part of something important and is a great source of pride,” shared Fraser.
There is another special treat in store for these kids too. USA World Team member and two-time World bronze medalist Nick Gwiazdowski sent in a big box of his wrestling gear and competition singlets
“I know there’s a heavyweight out there that can use this and I want to do everything I can to help,” said Gwiazdowski. …. rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/January/30/USAW4P-Guatemala?mc_cid=0c135afe6f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Carolinas’ Colleges News, Notes & Results – # 4
Citadel BULLDOGS CAPTURE SOCON VICTORY OVER GARDNER-WEBB
BOILING SPRINGS, NC – The Citadel wrestling team captured its first conference victory of the season, toppling Gardner-Webb, 31-14, Thursday night. The Bulldogs sealed bonus-point wins in four matches, including three pins. Michael McAleavey, Selwyn Porter and Martin Duane, and all earned victories by pin fall, with McAleavey pinning Gabriel Picket in under three minutes. Douglas Gudenburr sealed the fourth bonus-point victory in a major decision, 13-3 against Taylor Parks in the 157 weight class. …. story at https://citadelsports.com/news/2020/1/30/wrestling-bulldogs-capture-socon-victory-over-gardner-webb.aspx?mc_cid=0c135afe6f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
BULLDOGS DROP HOME DUAL TO APP STATE
CHARLESTON, SC – The Citadel wrestling team fell to the App State Mountaineers , 44-0 Saturday evening. The Bulldogs are now 2-3 in the SoCon and 4-4 overall. Sophomore Dazjon Casto nearly captured a victory for the ‘Dogs. Casto led 4-1 after the first round, but his opponent William Formato fought back through a tie-breaker to take the bout, 9-6. Story at …. https://citadelsports.com/news/2020/2/8/wrestling-bulldogs-drop-home-dual-to-app-state.aspx
BULLDOGS DROP MATCH TO CHATTANOOGA
CHARLESTON, SC – The Citadel wrestling team dropped its home dual match to the Chattanooga Mocs 39-9, Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs are now 2-4 in the SoCon and 4-5 overall. Doug Gudenburr and Michael McAleavey posted points for the ‘Dogs. Gudenburr earned six for The Citadel with a pin fall against Tyler Shilson at 157. …. story at https://citadelsports.com/news/2020/2/16/wrestling-bulldogs-drop-match-to-chattanooga.aspx
Newberry rolls past King, 23-16
Wolves pick up second conference win
NEWBERRY- The Newberry wrestling team ( 2-3, 2-1 South Atlantic Conference Carolinas) displayed strong performances up and down the lineup on Thursday evening as they came away with a 23-16 victory over King University (3-6, 2-2). The Wolves kept up the hot streak against the Tornados, picking up their eighth consecutive win against the program. The Tornados had to forfeit two duals, causing them to give up 12 points to the Wolves. The dual began at 125 where Newberry’s Josh Aquino lost a hard-fought 12-4 major decision to King’s Rylee Billings, giving the Tornados an early 4-0 lead in the dual. story at …. https://newberrywolves.com/news/2020/1/30/wrestling-newberry-rolls-past-king-23-16.aspx?mc_cid=0c135afe6f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Chris Poland Named South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Wrestler of the Week
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Coker University wrestler Chris Poland was named the South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Wrestler of the Week for his performance last week (Jan. 20-26), announced by the league today (Wednesday, Jan. 29). Poland posted a huge victory over No. 11 Majid Corbett of No. 14/20 Limestone in the team’s dual match on Jan. 23, winning by 9-2 decision. Corbett is also the top-ranked wrestler in Super Region II at 133 pounds. … story at https://www.cokercobras.com/sports/wrest/2019-20/releases/20200129khto58?mc_cid=efd3bacf82&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Royals Rally to Victory at Emmanuel
Franklin Springs, GA – The Queens University of Charlotte men’s wrestling team (5-7; 3-2 SAC/CC) defeated Emmanuel (2-13; 0-3 SAC/CC) 25-15 Thursday evening advancing above .500 in conference action. Freshman Hunter Tobiasson wrestled above his weight class but still earned the Royals’ first victory in the 285 lb heavyweight bout. Melvin Rubio (125 lb) followed with a decisive victory of his own and Devinaire Hayes (141) was the lone Royal to win by fall. …. story at https://queensathletics.com/news/2020/1/30/mens-wrestling-royals-rally-to-victory-at-emmanuel.aspx?mc_cid=0c135afe6f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Queens Loses Final Conference Match to Limestone
Charlotte, NC – The Queens University of Charlotte men’s wrestling team (5-9; 3-4 SAC/CC) lost to Limestone (10-4; 5-1 SAC/CC) by a 29-6 final score in its final match of conference play. Junior Melvin Rubio (125 lb) and freshman Joey Hancock (149) scored victories for the Royals tonight against the twentieth-ranked Saints. Rubio put Queens on the scorecard first with a 7-3 win by decision. Hancock engineered an impressive comeback to win 9-6. … story at https://queensathletics.com/news/2020/2/11/mens-wrestling-queens-loses-final-conference-match-to-limestone.aspx
TDR blog
After 20 seasons of publicizing wrestling The TakeDown Report’s (TDR) focus has changed to the collecting of college coaching records from North America since 1903. We will continue to recognize and reward successful wrestlers in eastern North Carolina (east of Raleigh & Fayetteville), assist with schools in starting or re-starting a team and this blog. Join us on our FaceBook Page – “The TakeDown Report” for photos and news. Please send results, stories, links and news to pass along. E-mail us at takedownreport@gmail.com
Martin Fleming, Editor
Takedown Report
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