Takedown Report

Two-Sport World Champion: Stephen Neal’s Hall of Fame Journey

Most athletes never become the best in the world at their sport, but Stephen Neal accomplished the feat in both Wrestling and Football.
Few athletes in the history of Cal State Bakersfield – or anywhere, for that matter – have achieved what Stephen Neal did. A two-time NCAA Division I Wrestling Champion, four-time All-American, and winner of the 1999 Dan Hodge Trophy, Neal dominated collegiate wrestling before going on to win the World Wrestling Championships.
Yet, what makes his story even more extraordinary is what came next: a decade-long NFL career and three Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots, all without ever having played college football.
On Oct. 25, Neal will take his rightful place among the inaugural inductees into the CSUB Athletics Hall of Fame, a recognition of a career – and a life – defined by belief, resilience, and relentless work. “My time as an athlete at Cal State Bakersfield meant a lot to me. I was able to get an education … more at … https://gorunners.com/news/2025/10/17/general-two-sport-world-champion-stephen-neals-hall-of-fame-journey.aspx

November 2, 2025 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized