4 college football players who became the greatest WWE Superstars of all time

Not all WWE Superstars had pro wrestling as their first career choice. More often than not, superstars try their hands at contact sports and then choose between pro wrestling and MMA. On the other hand, a popular sport that superstars pick before moving to pro wrestling is football.

Here is a list of WWE Superstars who tried their luck in football, and then moved to WWE. Eventually, all of them went on to become huge names within the pro wrestling industry.

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#4. Bill Goldberg didn't get the success he wanted

Bill Goldberg secured a scholarship with the University of Georgia and was picked for college football for the Georgia Bulldogs. The Los Angeles Rams picked him in the 1990 NFL Draft in the 11th round but he never played any games for The Rams. He made his NFL debut with the Atlanta Falcons on December 2, 1992, and played with the team till 1994.

He was cut from the Atlanta Falcons in 1995 and picked up by the Carolina Panthers in the 1995 NFL Expansion Draft. Unfortunately, he never played a game with the Panthers and was the first one to be cut from the team. Unfortunately, Goldberg tore his lower abdomen off his pelvis and had to take time off from football. He did wish to return to the field after recovery but none of the teams picked him.

Bill Goldberg's NFL experience wasn't as big a success as he had wished for. However, while he was recovering from the injury, he began powerlifting and MMA, which helped him transition to pro wrestling. The star eventually went on to become one of the biggest draws in WCW and WWE, even entering the Hall of Fame.

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#3. 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin had a run during his college days

Stone Cold Steve Austin is one of the most renowned names in WWE's history. He was the one who led the company through the Attitude Era and continues to be one of the most beloved legends in the industry.

Prior to becoming the hotshot of WWE, The Texas Rattlesnake was a part of the football field. He played football at Edna High School followed by junior college football with Wharton County Junior College.

Next, Stone Cold Steve Austin was a linebacker with the North Texas Mean Green but moved to the defensive line after suffering a knee injury. He played the position for the rest of his college days.

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#2. Brock Lesnar paused his wrestling career for NFL

Brock Lesnar made his WWE debut in 2002 and quickly earned an immense amount of fame and success in his rookie year. However, in 2004, The Beast put his professional wrestling career on hold to try his luck at football. He had always wanted to be a part of the NFL and did not want to regret never trying out for it.

Brock Lesnar signed with the Minnesota Vikings in July, which shocked everyone considering he hadn't played football since high school. He played a couple of preseason games with the team but was released on August 30.

The Beast did suffer through a motorbike accident in April which left him with a broken jaw, pulled groin, bruised pelvis, and broken left hand. He wasn't at 100% capacity when he tried out for the season.

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#1. Roman Reigns was a part of the CFL before WWE

Roman Reigns was a part of the football team for three years when he attended Pensacola Catholic High School and one year when he was at Escambia High School. In fact, he was even named the 'Defensive Player of the Year' during his senior year. At Georgia Institute of Technology, he was a part of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team.

He focused on pursuing a career in football but was undrafted in the NFL Draft 2007 until the Minnesota Vikings signed him in May 2007. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with leukemia during the team's physical leading to the Vikings releasing him later during the month. Next, The Jacksonville Jaguars signed him in August 2007 but released him right before the beginning of the NFL season.

Finally, in 2008, the Edmonton Eskimos signed Roman Reigns. He played in the Canadian Football League for one season, playing five games for the Eskimos. He was released from the team in November, ending his football career.