Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson has decided to switch gears from the wrestling mat to the football field by signing with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted rookie free agent. At just 21 years old, Steveson made history when he became the youngest freestyle wrestler to win gold as a super heavyweight at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He followed up his Olympic success by winning two college national titles at Minnesota and was twice named the Dan Hodge Trophy winner as the best college wrestler in the nation.
After winning his second college championship, Steveson retired from amateur wrestling by leaving his shoes on the mat. Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing in at 266 pounds, Steveson has been listed by the Bills as a defensive lineman, with hopes that his techniques and agility from wrestling will translate well to football.
Upon joining Buffalo, Steveson is reunited with head coach Sean McDermott, who was a successful high school wrestler before pursuing a career in football. McDermott credits wrestling for helping shape his life, making him a great mentor for Steveson as he begins his football journey. Despite signing a three-year contract with the Bills, Steveson’s spot on the team is not guaranteed and he will have to earn his place through hard work and dedication.
Following his Olympic gold medal win, Steveson had various opportunities lined up, but he chose to return to college to take advantage of new rules allowing college athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness. He signed a deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and also competed in amateur wrestling competitions before joining WWE full-time. Despite facing challenges in his wrestling and WWE careers, Steveson remains determined to succeed in his newest endeavor with the Buffalo Bills.
