NFL Players Are Getting Contract Clauses That Prohibit Them From Wrestling

TheSportster

By Mark Lugris

Published May 1, 2018

To protect their employees from getting hurt off the clock, some NFL teams are now mandating that players don't participate in any wrestling activity.

NFL teams are instituting new rules to keep their players in peak form, which includes avoiding activities that can result in physical harm, such as wrestling, scuba diving, bungee jumping, etc.

Boston Globe NFL columnist Ben Volin recently commented on Rob Gronkowski’s New England Patriots contract, which prohibits the tight end from “engaging in any activity other than football which may involve a significant risk of personal injury.” Gronkowski had made a surprise appearance at WrestleMania in 2017. The contract, however, doesn’t specify what these activities include.

The 49ers, on the other hand, have made it clear what they expect from their players. 49ers' contracts prevent players, such as Jimmy Garoppolo and Richard Sherman, from professional wrestling, boxing, skydiving, hang gliding, rock or mountain climbing, racing of any kind including as a driver or a passenger, motorcycling, use of any off-road or all-terrain vehicle, firearms, scuba diving, jet skiing, surfing, bungee jumping, diving, and snow or water skiing.

One example of reckless behavior that has been seriously frowned upon is Steelers quaterback’s Ben Roethlisberger motorcycling after the player had a serious accident in 2006. The youngest Super Bowl-winning quarterback in the history of the NFL, Roethlisberger, who was not wearing a helmet at the time, flew over the handlebars of his bike. Though the accident was described as serious but "not life- or career-threatening," the incident didn’t sit well with his teammates or coach Bill Cowher, who criticized the quarterback for not wearing a helmet. Former Steeler Terry Bradshaw also stated on television that Roethlisberger should save the riding for when he retires.

As for wrestling, the NFL and the WWE have a long-standing relationship. Among the classic WWE superstars who were all football players selected in the NFL Draft, there is Angelo Mosca, who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, though he chose to play for the CFL, Edward "Wahoo" McDaniel of the Los Angeles Chargers; "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd of the Chicago Bears; "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff of the New Orleans Saints, and Leon White, who went to the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams. White's career in the NFL was brief, but prior to departing the sport after only a couple seasons, the man who would become known as Vader took part in Super Bowl 14 with the Rams. More recently Sabby Piscitelli (Tino Sabbatelli), whose career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was cut short, is considered one of the next big WWE superstars.