Bills’ latest signing could join extremely exclusive club in U.S. sports history
The Buffalo Bills made an interesting singing on Friday afternoon. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Bills have signed former wrestler Gable Steveson. He is expected to play on the defensive line, which he has no experience at. Steveson recently worked out for the Bills and clearly made a strong impression. Steveson, who is 6-foot-1, 275-pound, […]
The Buffalo Bills made an interesting singing on Friday afternoon.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Bills have signed former wrestler Gable Steveson. He is expected to play on the defensive line, which he has no experience at.
Steveson recently worked out for the Bills and clearly made a strong impression.
Steveson, who is 6-foot-1, 275-pound, won an Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. And with that major accomplishment, he is now going to try and add Super Bowl champion to the list.
If he and the Bills are successful, he will join "Bob Hayes as the only athlete to win a Super Bowl ring and an Olympic gold medal," Schefter added.
The Bills signed Steveson to a three-year rookie deal.
The new Buffalo defensive lineman took a moment to talk about this exciting opportunity with ESPN.
"I have been fortunate to compete at the highest level of competition in my sport but am looking forward to the challenge of seeing how my wrestling skills may translate to football," Steveson said. "I am grateful to Coach (Sean) McDermott, (general manager) Brandon Beane and the Buffalo Bills organization for giving me this opportunity."
This is viewed as a controversial signing for the Bills after Steveson and a Minnesota teammate were arrested in 2019 on suspicion of criminal sexual misconduct. It was eventually determined there was not sufficient evidence to charge them, with the new Bills lineman seeming to get away with his actions on a technicality.
Breaking down Bills’ gold Olympic medalist DL Gable Stevenson’s chance of making the 53-man roster
Because of his lack of experience, Steveson is viewed as a practice squad candidate, getting the opportunity to grow and learn the game.
But of course, he is just getting started. And he could prove everyone wrong. If he has an impressive showing at training camp, the Bills could worry about subjecting him to waivers during roster cuts and make a spot from him on the 53-man roster.
However, as things stand right now, expect him to be vying for a spot on the practice squad.
