Why football players should wrestle

By Matthew Wernikoff

Recently I was asked by a parent whether or not his son should continue to wrestle.  A Junior, for a good football program in NY, he was already receiving several scholarship offers from Division I football programs.  The father felt that his son benefited from wrestling but the son felt that he should just focus on the sport he was going to play in college.  The father asked me to outline the benefits of wrestling for football players and attempt to “prove” to his son that his scholarship offers would only increase if he continued to wrestle his last two seasons.  I happily agreed as there is no doubt that wrestling greatly benefits football players on all levels.

“I love wrestlers; they are tough and make great Football players.” –Mike Stoops National Championship Football Coach at Oklahoma University.

Physical Skills

Wrestling is one of the most physically demanding sports that any athlete can partake in.  It is a total body sport requiring athletes to be flexible, strong, explosive, agile; to have a great sense of balance; and have the level of conditioning that rivals any other endurance sport.  Wrestlers, through the course of their training and competition, are often subject to physical discomfort and pain at a level that far exceeds most sports.  These skills benefit football players at all levels, from the ability to move laterally, keep a man in front of you and close the distance quickly, to driving a 225lb running back into the ground and forcing the fumble.  There is no doubt that a wrestler’s physical-ness is a skill set desired by all coaches.

“Wrestlers make coaching football easy, they have balance, coordination, and as a staff we know they are tough.”  -Tom Osborne College Hall of Fame Coach for the University of Nebraska.

Mental Skills

Weight management, the discipline to maintain a healthy diet for 6 months or more out of the year, the drive to give a 100% every practice, and the drive it takes to wake up early everyday to get an extra run in are just some of the mental skills that it takes to be a successful wrestler.  But none compare to the mental toughness it takes to walk out on a mat, alone with no teammates to help you win and take on an opponent one on one.  Nothing compares to that feeling; whether  you have a broken finger, bruised ribs, strained or torn knee ligament, a wrestler knows that for 6 minutes nothing else matters but putting his opponent on his back and getting his hand raised in the end.  What football coach wouldn’t want an athlete on their team that is always going to give them 100%  An athlete that they never have to tell, “hit the weight room,” or “you should get extra laps in after practice?”  A true wrestler always wants to be the first to arrive and the last to leave.  A wrestler is self reliant and will never blame his teammates for his loss.  Wrestlers are mentally tough.

“I draft wrestlers because they are tough, I’ve never had a problem with a wrestler.” –Joe Gibbs Hall of Fame Football Coach.

Physiological Skills

Hand eye coordination, proprioception and anaerobic conditioning are three skills that are vital to both wrestling and football player!  The definition of proprioecption is, “the ability to sense the position and location and orientation and movement of the body and its parts.”  It utilizes all of the senses in the body.  It is the ability to know where your body is in the space you are in, without having to look at your body.  In other words, when a wrestler is in a scramble and his head is stuck underneath his opponent and without looking he is able to move his whole body, all four limbs, often in different directions at the same time, while simultaneously keeping track of his opponent’s entire body and staying in-bounds to finish the takedown; this is proprioception.  On a football field an offensive linemen, for example, has to keep track of the man in front of him, his body, the bodies to his right and left and the quarterback behind him all at the same time.  A wrestler is forced to hone this skill everyday in a competitive practice environment.  This repetitive practice can only benefit a football player.

“I would have all of my offensive linemen wrestle if I could.” –John Madden, Hall of Fame Football Coach and Broadcaster

Anaerobic conditioning is defined as your ability to perform at a rate faster than can be met by oxygen supply.  Short bursts of intense exercise tax your anaerobic system.  Wrestling is a combination of Anaerobic and aerobic metabolisms however, it relies heavily on anaerobic conditioning within a match or tournament.  It is because of this that wrestlers are often sought after by football coaches because they are in superior shape to athletes who do not work their anaerobic system.

“Once you’ve wrestled, everything else in life is easy.” –Dan Gable Hall of Fame Wrestler and Wrestling Coach

Influence of Wrestling on the NFL: 12 Hall of Fame Members*43+ Multiple Time Pro-Bowlers*60+ Individual State Wrestling Championships*13 NCAA Wrestling Championships*3 Heisman Trophy Winners Wrestled*And currently: 63 RB’s, 23 LB’s, 2 QB’s, 66 Linemen, 6 DB’s, 1 K, all wrestled.

1.       Agility–The ability of one to change the position of his body efficiently and easily.
2. Quickness–The ability to make a series of movements in a very short period of time.
3. Balance–The maintenance of body equilibrium through muscular control.
4. Flexibility–The ability to make a wide range of muscular movements.
5. Coordination–The ability to put together a combination of movements in a flowing rhythm.
6. Endurance–The development of muscular and cardiovascular-respiratory stamina.
7. Muscular Power (explosiveness)–The ability to use strength and speed simultaneously.
8. Aggressiveness–The willingness to keep on trying or pushing your adversary at all times.
9. Discipline–The desire to make the sacrifices necessary to become a better athlete and person.
10. A Winning Attitude–The inner knowledge that you will do your best – win or lose.

Famous Football Players that Wrestled:

*Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons, 2X SC State Champion*Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens, 2X State Champion*Stephen Neal, 3X Super Bowl Champion with the New England Patriots, 2X NCCA National Champion for Cal State Bakersfield and 1999 World Freestyle Champion*Lorenzo Neal, 4X Probowler for the Baltimore Ravens, 2X NCCA All-American and California State Wrestling Champion

Rodney Michael*Marques Harris – CO State Champ*Larry Turner*Andrew “Tyler” Lenda – District Champ*Matt Roth – IA State Champ*David Pollack*Tim Burrough – OK State Champ*Antoineo Harris – IL State Champ*Claude Harriott*Scott Wells – TN State Champ*Alex Lewis – District Champ*Rodney Leisle*Nick Newton*Sean Tufts*Brian Save*Kevin Atkins*Josh Minkins – District Runner-up*Tim Euhus*Andrew Tidwell-Neal – MN State Champ*Renaldo Works*Patrick “Bucky” Babcock – IL State Champ*Morgan Pears*Flozell Adams, DE, Dallas Cowboys*Tim Anderson – OH State Champ*Art Baker, RB, Buffalo Bills*Rhonde Barber, SS, Tampa Bay Buccaneers*Tiki Barber, RB, New York Giants*Walter Barnes, DL, Washington Redskins – SEC Champ*Eric Bateman, OL, New York Jets*Harris Benton*Brad Benson, New York Giants – PA State Champ*Greg Boone, RB, Oakland Raiders*Ryan Binghom, Sand*Diego Chargers – 2x State Champ*Jeff Bostic*, C, Washington Redskins – SC State Champ*Kevin Breedlove – SC State Finalist*Clinton “C.J.” Brooks, Jr. *Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami Dolphins (#2 Pick) *Tedy Bruschi*, ILB, New England Patriots*Bob Bruenig*, LB, Dallas Cowboys* Phil Bryant, Philadelphia Eagles – 2x National Prep Champ*Luis Castillo, DT, San Diego Chargers (First Round Pick) *Ralph Cindrich, Houston Oilers – PA State Runner-Up*Jonathan Condo, LS, Dallas Cowboys – PA State Champ, *Dapper Dan Champ*Tom Cousineau*, LB, Cleveland Browns  – 3rd State*Tom Covert*, OT, Chicago Bears*Benjamin Claxton – GA State Finalist*Chris Cooley, TE, Washington Redskins*Colin Cole, Seattle Seahawks*Jonathan Condo*Roger Craig*, RB, San Francisco 49′ers*Andrew Crummy – Cincinatti Bengals*Damien Covington, LB, Buffalo Bills*Curley Culp*, DL, Kansas City Chiefs – NCAA Champ*Larry Czonka**, RB, Miami Dolphins*Rob Davis, ST, Green Bay Packers*Dan Dierdorff**, OT, St. Louis Cardinals*Donnie Edwards, OLB, San Diego Chargers*Carl Edwards, San Diego Chargers – 3x MD State Champ*Rob Essink, Seattle Seahawks – NCAA DII Champ*Jim Everett, QB, New Orleans Saints*DeMarco Farr, St. Louis Rams*Patrick Flannery, OL, Houston Oilers*Ed Flanagan, C, Detroit Lions*Tony Fiametta – Carolina Panthers*Terrell Fletcher, RB, San Diego Chargers*Bill Fralic*, G,  Atlanta Falcons*Doug France*, LT, Los Angeles Rams – OH State Runner-Up*Antonio Garay, DL, Chicago Bears – State Champ*Frank Garcia, C, St. Louis Rams – 2x AZ State Champ*William George, Chicago Bears – 2x PA State Champ*Charlie Getty, RG, Kansas City Chiefs – 2x NCAA All-American*John Gilmore, TE, Chicago Bears*Kevin Glover*, C, Detroit Lions*Eric Ghiaciuc, C, Cincinatti Bengals – MI State Champ*La’Roi Glover*, DE, Dallas Cowboys*Mike Goff, G, Cincinnati Bengals*Bob Golic*, DT, Cleveland Browns – OH State Champ*Mike Golic, DE, Philadelphia Eagles*Darien Gordon, PR/CB, Denver Broncos*Scottie Graham, RB, Minnesota Vikings*Tim Green, DE, Atlanta Falcons*Kelly Gregg, NT, Baltimore Ravens, 3x KS State Champ*Morlon Greenwood, OLB, Miami Dolphins*Archie Griffin, HB, Cincinnati Bengals*Nick Griesen, LB, New York Giants*Randy Grossman, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers*John Hannah**, G, New England Patriots*John Hartunian*Nick Hardwick – San Diego Chargers*Nick Harper, CB, Tennesee Titans*Carlton Haselrig*, Pittsburgh Steelers, 3x NCAA Champ*William Hayes, Tennesee Titans*Ron Heller, TE, Seattle Seahawks*Chad Hennings, DT, Dallas Cowboys – IA State Champ*Jay Hilgenberg*, C, Chicago Bears – IA State Runner-Up*Lincoln “Drew” Hodgdon, C, Houston Texans – CA State Champ*Orlando Huff, MLB, Seattle Seahawks*Joey Hildbold*Corey Hulsy, G, Oakland Raiders*John Jackson, T, Pittsburg Steelers*Bo Jackson*, RB, Oakland Raiders*Mario Johnson, DT, New England Patriot*Cody Johnson*Trevor Johnson*Dahanie Jones, LB, Cincinatti Bengals*Henry Jordan**, DT, Green Bay Packers*Dave Joyner, OL, Green Bay Packers*John Jurkovich*, DT, Cleveland Browns*Alex Karras, Detroit Lions*Patrick Kearney, DE, Atlanta Falcons*Tim Krumrie*, DL, Cincinnati Bengals – WI State Champ*Ernie Ladd, DL, Kansas City Chiefs*Chris Laskowski*Nick Lecky, C, – KS State Champ (in 2004 NFL Draft) *Jess Lewis, LB, Houston Oilers*Ray Lewis*, Baltimore Ravens – 2x FL State Champ*Nick Leckey – TX State Champ*Ronnie Lott**, DB, San Francisco 49′ers*Kirk Lowdermilk*, OL, Minnesota Vikings*Sean Mahan, G, Tampa Bay Buccaneers*Mike Malczyk, LS, New York Giants*Alex Mack – Cleveland Browns*Joel Mackavicka, RB, Seattle Seahawks*Steve Martin, DT, Houston Texans*Mickey Marvin, RG, Oakland Raiders*Aaron Maybin, DE – Buffalo Bills – 4th State*Napolean McCallum, RB, Oakland Raiders*Randle McDaniel*, G, Minnesota Vikings*Mark McDonald, SS, Arizona Cardinals*Chris McIntosh, T, Seattle Seahawks*Bryant McKinnie, T. Minnesota Vikings*Scott McKillop – San Francisco 49′ers*Gerald McRatha – Tennesee Titans*Greg Meisner, DL, Los Angeles Rams*Matt Millen*, LB, Oakland Raiders*Ronald Moore, RB, Cleveland Browns*James Mungro, HB, Indianapolis Colts*Jim Nance, FB, New England Patriots – NCAA Champ*Lorenzo Neal, FB, Tennessee Titans – NCAA Champ*Stephen Neal, OL, New England Patriots – NCAA Champ*Jeremy Newberry, C, San Francisco 49′ers*Chuck Noll, Pittsburgh Steelers – PA State Champ*Leo Nomellini*, T, San Francisco 49′ers – Big 10 Champ*Jonathan Ogden*, OT, Baltimore Ravens*Shane Olivea*Irv Pankey, Los Angeles Rams – 2x MD State Champ*Tony Pape, San Diego Chargers*Mike Patterson, DT, Philadelphia Eagles (First Round Pick) *David Patten, WR, New England Patriots*Brandon Pearce, Arizona Cardinals*Scott Peters, G, New York Giants*Bob Pickens, OL, Chicago Bears*Jim Plunkett*, QB, Oakland Raiders*Dave Porter, T, Green Bay Packers*Chris Pressley, Cincinatti Bengals*Mike Pyle, C, Chicago Bears – IA State Champ*Rocky Rasley, G, Detroit Lions*Mike Reid, Cincinnati Bengals*Eric Rhett, RB, Cleveland Browns – FL State Champ*Willie Roaf*, OT, New Orleans Saints*Erik Robertson, San Diego Chargers*Leon Robinson – GA State Runner-Up*Warren Sapp*, DT Tampa Bay Buccaneers – FL State Champ*Kevin Sampson – NJ State Champ*Adam Seward, ILB, Carolina Panthers – NV State Champ*Mark Schlereth*, OL, Washington Redskins – Alaska State Champ*Cory Schlesinger, LB, Detroit Lions – NE State Champ*Steve Sefter, DT, Philadelphia Eagles, 2x PA State Champ & NCAA All-American*Tony Siragusa*, DT, Baltimore Ravens – NJ State Champ*Fred Smerlas*, Buffalo Bills – MA State Champ*Bruce Smith**, DE, Washington Redskins*Brad St. Louis, TE, Cincinnati Bengals*Larod Stephens-Howling – Arizona Cardinals*Alex Stepanovich*Matt Suhey, RB, Chicago Bears*Bill Szott, OL, Washington Redskins – NJ State Champ*Dave Szott, Kansas City Chiefs – NJ State Champ*Terrance Taylor – Indianapolis Colts – State Champ*Woody Thompson, RB, Atlanta Falcons – PA State Champ*Jim Thorpe**, HB, New York Giants*Mike Trgovac, DC, Carolina Panthers – OH State Champ*Kyle Turley*, T, St. Louis Rams*Tai Tupai*Ryan Turnbull, RB, Cleveland Browns*Tommy Vardell, RB, San Francisco 49′ers*Adam Vinatieri*, K, New England Patriots*Gabe Watson, Arizona Cardinals*Gregory Walker – State Finalist*John Ward, OL, New York Jets – NCAA All-American*Fred Weary, C, Houston Texans – AL State Champ*Zachary Wilson*Charles White*, HB, Los Angeles Rams*Randy White*, DT, Dallas Cowboys*Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons – 2x SC State Champ (First Round Pick) *Cory Widmer, LB, New York Giants*Coy Wire, SS, Buffalo Bills – PA State Champ*Leo Wisniewski, NT, Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts – PA State Champ*Steve Wisniewski, G, Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders – CA State Champ*Ricky Williams*, RB, Miami Dolphins*Coy Wire, LB, Buffalo Bills – PA State Runner-Up*Greg Wojochowski, St. Louis Rams