In one of the most unexpected moves of the NFL offseason, the Buffalo Bills hired Gable Steveson, a former Olympic gold medalist and WWE wrestler who was once arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.
At the Covid-postponed 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Steveson, who stands 6 feet 1 inch and weighs 275 pounds, won gold in the 125 kg freestyle sport for Team USA. In August 2021, he made his WWE debut at SummerSlam. ESPN reports that he will be joining on a three-year contract.
“I have been fortunate to compete at the highest level of competition in my sport, but I am looking forward to the challenge of seeing how my wrestling skills may translate to football,” Steveson said in a statement released on Friday following the announcement of his shocking Bills trade. I am appreciative of the Buffalo Bills organization, general manager Brandon Beane, and coach Sean McDermott for providing me with this chance.
In June 2019, when a lady said she had been raped and sought medical attention at a hospital, Steveson was taken into custody on suspicion of engaging in illicit sexual behavior with another wrestler, Dylan Martinez. Six months later, both were exonerated on the grounds of “inadequate evidence,” according to the prosecution.
According to an Associated Press story from December 2019, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman stated: “There are often conflicting versions of what happened and this case is no exception.” To fairly charge and prosecute this case, there is not enough evidence, in the interest of justice. We are grateful for the victim’s bravery in telling the police about this occurrence.
Steveson, who was never charged, responded to the accusations in a message to Ringside News when the news of his arrest reappeared after he had signed with WWE.
“Reading the criticisms and attacks on my character by people who don’t know me personally and my values has been one of the challenges for me personally, especially over the past several months/years,” he stated.
Nobody ever filed any charges, and the whole ordeal has been trying for all of them.
“In the future, I hope that those who do not know me will see that kindness, empathy, and respect are values I hold dear in my life.”
After Bob Hayes, Steveson, 24, may now be the only man to win both an Olympic gold medal and a Super Bowl.
Hayes won the 1964 Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl as well as the 100-meter and 4×100-meter gold medals, all of which were ironically won in Tokyo.
Head coach Sean McDermott of the Bills has designated Steveson to play on the defensive line. According to ESPN, Steveson was being pursued by other NFL teams.
He didn’t play football, but he did win three Big Ten Conference titles and two national wrestling titles.
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