Olympic gold medalist wrestler Gable Steveson has decided to transition from the mat to the football field, as he inked a standard undrafted rookie free agent deal with the Buffalo Bills on Friday.
The Bills plan to utilize the 24-year-old Steveson as a defensive lineman, banking on his mastery of leverage techniques and agility to make a smooth transition to football. Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 266 pounds, Steveson made history at 21 by clinching gold as a super heavyweight at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, becoming the youngest freestyle wrestler to achieve this feat. He continued his winning streak by securing two college national titles at Minnesota in 2021 and ’22, following a stellar high school career at Apple Valley High School. Steveson’s prowess on the wrestling mat earned him the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy twice, recognizing him as the top collegiate wrestler in the nation.
After claiming his second college championship, Steveson ceremoniously retired from amateur wrestling by leaving his shoes on the mat. In Buffalo, he enters a team led by head coach Sean McDermott, who himself was a standout wrestler in high school and acknowledges the sport’s influence on his life journey.
While Steveson’s contract with the Bills spans three years, its continuation hinges on his performance and ability to secure a spot on the team roster.
Steveson’s decision to pursue football follows his monumental victory in Tokyo, where he clinched gold in a thrilling last-second match against Geno Petriashvili. Opting to capitalize on the new opportunities afforded by name, image, and likeness rules for college athletes, Steveson returned to college for a final year, securing an NIL deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) before embarking on his professional wrestling career.
Although he briefly ventured back into amateur wrestling last year, winning both the U.S. Open and Final X competitions, Steveson opted out of competing in the world championships.
Initially hailed as a promising talent in WWE’s developmental brand, NXT, Steveson was released in May, prompting his transition back to football.
Hailing from Minnesota, Steveson was named after legendary wrestler Dan Gable, who secured gold at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
AP Sports Writer Cliff Brunt in Oklahoma City contributed to this report.
