Former wrestlers competing in the Super Bowl: 2021 edition

Wrestlers usually make great athletes, and in particular, they make great football players. Every year we see former wrestlers make it to football’s biggest stage, the Super Bowl. Take a look at this year’s crop of wrestlers playing in Super Bowl LV this Sunday.
Tampa Bay

Tristan Wirfs
Offensive Tackle
Rookie Tristan Wirfs, the 13th overall pick in last year’s draft is a starter on the Buc’s O-line. Wirfs was a four-time letter winner for Mount Vernon in Iowa. He capped his career with a 2A state title in 2017.

Shaquil Barrett
Outside Linebacker
The Buccaneers have a state champion on the other side of the ball in Shaquil Barrett as well. Barrett won a Class B state title for Boys Town High School in Nebraska at 215 pounds. Barrett’s older brothers Kevin and DeShawn wrestled collegiately.


Kansas City
Of note all four Kansas City players were on the Chief’s Super Bowl winning squad last year.

Nick Allegretti
Guard
Nick Allegretti was a four-year letter winner in wrestling at Lincoln Way East in Illinois. His senior season, Alegretti finished third in class 3A with a 45-2 record.

Dorian O’Daniel
Linebacker
Dorian O’Daniel wrestled for four years as a youth wrestler. Coming from a wrestling family, O’Daniel’s uncles Romy and Keilan were three-time PIAA place winners for Pennsylvania powerhouse Canon McMillan. Keilan won a state title in 1994. O’Daniel did not compete in high school but stated he was grateful for the experience wrestling gave him.

Khlaen Saunders
Defensive Tackle
Khalen Saunders earned varsity letters while wrestling for Parkway Central High School in Missouri.

Stefen Wisniewski

Guard
Stefen Wisniewski is another individual who came from strong wrestling pedigree. His father Leo was a Pennsylvania state champion. Wisniewski wrestled briefly in his youth and picked the sport back up in high school, competing for Central Catholic in Pa.