{'byline': 'by Jordan Cohn', 'hosts': '', 'byline_sources': 'RADIO.COM', 'hide_author': True, 'audience_id': '', 'original_station': '', 'syndicated_items': [{'station': 'espnrochester', 'path': '/espnrochester/sports/7-nfl-players-who-made-appearances-in-professional-wrestling'}, {'station': 'kfh', 'path': '/kfh/sports/nfl/7-nfl-players-who-made-appearances-in-professional-wrestling'}, {'station': '973thefansd', 'path': '/973thefansd/sports/nfl/7-nfl-players-who-made-appearances-in-professional-wrestling'}, {'station': '923thefan', 'path': '/923thefan/sports/nfl/7-nfl-players-who-made-appearances-in-professional-wrestling'}, {'station': 'thefandc', 'path': '/thefandc/sports/nfl/7-nfl-players-who-made-appearances-in-professional-wrestling'}, {'station': 'wgr550', 'path': '/wgr550/sports/nfl/7-nfl-players-who-made-appearances-in-professional-wrestling'}, {'station': 'theticketmiami', 'path': '/theticketmiami/sports/nfl/7-nfl-players-who-made-appearances-in-professional-wrestling'}, {'station': '929thegame', 'path': '/929thegame/sports/nfl/7-nfl-players-who-made-appearances-in-professional-wrestling'}, {'station': '1057thefan', 'path': '/1057thefan/sports/nfl/7-nfl-players-who-made-appearances-in-professional-wrestling'}, {'station': 'wcbs880', 'path': '/wcbs880/sports/7-nfl-players-who-made-appearances-in-professional-wrestling'}, {'station': 'kmbz', 'path': '/kmbz/news/7-nfl-players-who-made-appearances-in-professional-wrestling'}, {'station': '929espn', 'path': '/929espn/sports/nfl/7-nfl-players-who-made-appearances-in-professional-wrestling'}, {'station': 'theteam980', 'path': '/theteam980/sports/7-nfl-players-who-made-appearances-in-professional-wrestling'}], 'original_item': {'_index': 'published-content_v44', '_type': '_doc', '_score': None, '_source': {'date': '2020-10-06T14:13:00.000+00:00', 'slides': [{'data': {'title': 'Monty Brown (Marcus Cor Von)', '_version': 1, 'hashLink': 'monty-brown--marcus-cor-von--ckfx4i0z7002i3h61eph1sa0p', 'slideEmbed': [{'data': {'alt': 'Monty Brown', 'url': 'https://images.radio.com/aiu-media/GettyImages259118-f74bcef0-dfe6-497f-b40c-1972a5b507f2.jpg', 'width': 1024, 'credit': '(Andy Lyons/Getty Images)', 'height': 683, 'caption': 'Monty Brown tackles an opponent on the Miami Dolphins.', '_version': 1, 'imageLink': None, 'rendition': None, 'sizeInBytes': '99391', 'borderToggle': None, 'componentVariation': 'image'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/image/instances/ckfx4i0z8002j3h616z3t8xte@published'}], 'description': [{'data': {'text': 'One of a handful of NFL players to graduate from the Division II Ferris State Bulldogs football team, Brown was brought in by the Buffalo Bills after his standout, record-setting college career. 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It’s not gonna happen again, sorry</p>&mdash; THE ALPHA MALE (@TheMontyBrown) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMontyBrown/status/1303184405003935746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2020</a></blockquote>\n', 'showMedia': True, 'showThread': True, 'componentVariation': 'tweet'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/tweet/instances/ckfx6b9o9008f3h613bttn7ko@published'}], 'totalSlides': 7, 'reverseOrder': False, 'sectionFront': 'sports', 'hashLinkPrefix': 'monty-brown--marcus-cor-von-', 'slidesNumbered': False, 'galleryTypeClass': 'component--gallery-slide__sports', 'componentVariation': 'gallery-slide'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/gallery-slide/instances/ckfx4i0z7002i3h61eph1sa0p@published'}, {'data': {'title': 'Kevin Greene', '_version': 1, 'hashLink': 'kevin-greene-ckfx4i1iy002k3h61rzp7oomp', 'slideEmbed': [{'data': {'alt': 'Kevin Greene', 'url': 'https://images.radio.com/aiu-media/GettyImages586851806-2a68affc-1548-4738-b225-4887ad66402d.jpg', 'width': 1024, 'credit': '(Joe Robbins/Getty Images)', 'height': 714, 'caption': 'Kevin Greene stands next to his bust at his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony.', '_version': 1, 'imageLink': None, 'rendition': None, 'sizeInBytes': '136653', 'borderToggle': None, 'componentVariation': 'image'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/image/instances/ckfx4i1iz002l3h6184dychhh@published'}], 'description': [{'data': {'text': 'A five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, Kevin Greene was utterly dominant for the Rams, Steelers, Panthers and Niners throughout the 1980s and 1990s. With 10 double-digit sack seasons, Greene ranks third all-time with 160 sacks to his name. It was a pretty incredible career for a guy who walked on the Auburn football team and was only a fifth-round pick in the 1985 NFL Draft.'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/description/instances/ckfxyosc2000w3h61l5vh50lx@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'But we also have to remember that Greene competed with some of the top names in pro wrestling history during his brief WCW stints, joining forces with some other names on this list as well as with guys like Ric Flair and Roddy Piper.'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/description/instances/ckfxyya6i000y3h61adzlzkp6@published'}, {'data': {'url': 'https://twitter.com/WWEUniverse/status/696159460981657600', 'html': '<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congratulations former <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WCW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WCW</a> competitor KEVIN GREENE, the newest member of the <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballHOF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProFootballHOF</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLHonors?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLHonors</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WWE</a> <a href="https://t.co/SjoBe2h5rh">pic.twitter.com/SjoBe2h5rh</a></p>&mdash; WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWEUniverse/status/696159460981657600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2016</a></blockquote>\n', 'showMedia': True, 'showThread': True, 'componentVariation': 'tweet'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/tweet/instances/ckfxz0mas00123h61ffus0uze@published'}], 'totalSlides': 7, 'reverseOrder': False, 'sectionFront': 'sports', 'hashLinkPrefix': 'kevin-greene', 'slidesNumbered': False, 'galleryTypeClass': 'component--gallery-slide__sports', 'componentVariation': 'gallery-slide'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/gallery-slide/instances/ckfx4i1iy002k3h61rzp7oomp@published'}, {'data': {'title': 'Rob Gronkowski', '_version': 1, 'hashLink': 'rob-gronkowski-ckfx4i1jo002m3h61gad8n0pm', 'slideEmbed': [{'data': {'alt': 'Rob Gronkowski', 'url': 'https://images.radio.com/aiu-media/GettyImages1266131490-3a3767a0-4cdd-47c1-9182-c6ae34487e91.jpg', 'width': 1024, 'credit': '(Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)', 'height': 651, 'caption': 'Gronk hauls in a pass while working out with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.', '_version': 1, 'imageLink': None, 'rendition': None, 'sizeInBytes': '74802', 'borderToggle': None, 'componentVariation': 'image'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/image/instances/ckfx4i1jo002n3h61zo4qjd0v@published'}], 'description': [{'data': {'text': "No one is going to forget about this one. In fact, the most surprising thing about his WWE career was the abrupt nature in which it came to an end and he announced that he'd be returning to the NFL... on the same new team as Tom Brady, no less."}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/description/instances/ckfxz0vt100143h61s7bvsc4k@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'While his wrestling stint was weird for a few reasons, including its extra gimmicky nature and the coronavirus pandemic that removed the crowd for the majority of his time there, he <em>did</em> become the WWE 24/7 champion with relative ease.'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/description/instances/ckfxz23dx00163h61nh0o5qgd@published'}, {'data': {'url': 'https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1246969277799976960', 'html': '<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">GRONK WINS THE WWE 24/7 CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WrestleMania?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WrestleMania</a><br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WWE</a>) <a href="https://t.co/MnuIW8qvFF">pic.twitter.com/MnuIW8qvFF</a></p>&mdash; SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1246969277799976960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2020</a></blockquote>\n', 'showMedia': True, 'showThread': True, 'componentVariation': 'tweet'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/tweet/instances/ckfxzlk2r001a3h61bthj4s8r@published'}], 'totalSlides': 7, 'reverseOrder': False, 'sectionFront': 'sports', 'hashLinkPrefix': 'rob-gronkowski', 'slidesNumbered': False, 'galleryTypeClass': 'component--gallery-slide__sports', 'componentVariation': 'gallery-slide'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/gallery-slide/instances/ckfx4i1jo002m3h61gad8n0pm@published'}, {'data': {'title': 'Ernie Ladd', '_version': 1, 'hashLink': 'ernie-ladd-ckfx4j2p4004t3h61h3oim6kp', 'slideEmbed': [{'data': {'url': 'https://twitter.com/WWENetwork/status/562428282948571136', 'html': '<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WWE celebrates <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackHistoryMonth?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlackHistoryMonth</a>, with a tribute to <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WWE</a> Hall of Famer <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BigCat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BigCat</a> Ernie Ladd. <a href="http://t.co/MygIlt92hE">http://t.co/MygIlt92hE</a> <a href="http://t.co/xS20DrtFLK">pic.twitter.com/xS20DrtFLK</a></p>&mdash; WWE Network (@WWENetwork) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWENetwork/status/562428282948571136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2015</a></blockquote>\n', 'showMedia': True, 'showThread': True, 'componentVariation': 'tweet'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/tweet/instances/ckfx4j77i005y3h61vaw27l83@published'}], 'description': [{'data': {'text': 'Ladd is someone who was equally dominant in both his football career and his professional wrestling career. He was elected to four Pro Bowl rosters in his first five seasons, with three first-team All-Pro appearances in there as well, dominating opposing offensive lines for the Chargers and helping them to capture the 1963-1964 AFL Championship.'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/description/instances/ckfxzoi6j001c3h61saw9p0k2@published'}, {'data': {'text': "His wrestling career began before his retirement from football after the 1968 season, but that's when it really took off. Feuding with fan favorites like Andre the Giant, Bob Backlund and others, Ladd was a prominent heel for over a decade. In 1995, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in addition to his San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame honors from over a decade prior."}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/description/instances/ckfxzqz9c001e3h61lmrsy84g@published'}], 'totalSlides': 7, 'reverseOrder': False, 'sectionFront': 'sports', 'hashLinkPrefix': 'ernie-ladd', 'slidesNumbered': False, 'galleryTypeClass': 'component--gallery-slide__sports', 'componentVariation': 'gallery-slide'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/gallery-slide/instances/ckfx4j2p4004t3h61h3oim6kp@published'}, {'data': {'title': 'Steve &quot;Mongo&quot; McMichael', '_version': 1, 'hashLink': 'steve--quot-mongo-quot--mcmichael-ckfx4i1kg002o3h61a5qdapvl', 'slideEmbed': [{'data': {'alt': 'Steve "Mongo" McMichael', 'url': 'https://images.radio.com/aiu-media/GettyImages50830098-0a016b6d-8143-4eb0-abf6-000dbf44ee8a.jpg', 'width': 1024, 'credit': '(Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)', 'height': 681, 'caption': 'Steve &quot;Mongo&quot; McMichael was a dominant defensive player for the 1980s Bears.', '_version': 1, 'imageLink': None, 'rendition': None, 'sizeInBytes': '114869', 'borderToggle': None, 'componentVariation': 'image'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/image/instances/ckfx4i1kh002p3h61drnwihfn@published'}], 'description': [{'data': {'text': 'A two-time Pro Bowler who really hit his stride in the mid-1980s, McMichael was nearly a career Chicago Bear outside of one-year stints in New England and Green Bay that began and ended his NFL career. From 1983, the first year in which he became a regular starter, to 1994, at which point he retired, he was one of 16 NFL players who had recorded at least 90 sacks, joining two<em> </em>other members of this list in that club... coincidence? Perhaps not.'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/description/instances/ckfy0c0kd001h3h61sznwuzym@published'}, {'data': {'text': "It's that type of big, muscular frame that converted well to the wrestling lifestyle, and McMichael transition to the new sport was fairly seamless. Though he started as a color commentator, he soon teamed up with Kevin Greene to face off against two members of the Four Horsemen (Ric Flair and Arn Anderson). By the match's end, he had <em>joined </em>the Four Horsemen, a stable he would remain a part of until they were disbanded in September of 1997."}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/description/instances/ckfy0h3mb001j3h61cyl98ozr@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'He stayed true to his NFL roots, though, never forgetting his allegiance to the Bears.'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/description/instances/ckfy0kjx3001l3h61se497gnf@published'}, {'data': {'url': 'https://twitter.com/ryansongalia/status/991549611524444160', 'html': '<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Four Horsemen were babyfaces in 1997 but Steve “Mongo” McMichael gets booed in Green Boy while cutting a promo against nWo because he once played for Chicago Bears <a href="https://twitter.com/Maffewgregg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Maffewgregg</a> <a href="https://t.co/vwZD2LXLKS">pic.twitter.com/vwZD2LXLKS</a></p>&mdash; Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) <a href="https://twitter.com/ryansongalia/status/991549611524444160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2018</a></blockquote>\n', 'showMedia': True, 'showThread': True, 'componentVariation': 'tweet'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/tweet/instances/ckfy0kwfb001p3h615m4c0dq2@published'}], 'totalSlides': 7, 'reverseOrder': False, 'sectionFront': 'sports', 'hashLinkPrefix': 'steve--quot-mongo-quot--mcmichael', 'slidesNumbered': False, 'galleryTypeClass': 'component--gallery-slide__sports', 'componentVariation': 'gallery-slide'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/gallery-slide/instances/ckfx4i1kg002o3h61a5qdapvl@published'}, {'data': {'title': 'William &quot;The Refrigerator&quot; Perry', '_version': 1, 'hashLink': 'william--quot-refrigerator-quot--perry-ckfx4i1lj002q3h61391phii3', 'slideEmbed': [{'data': {'alt': 'William "The Refrigerator" Perry', 'url': 'https://images.radio.com/aiu-media/GettyImages255035-c9c7e2b4-fe96-4ec2-b118-3de4f612c249.jpg', 'width': 1024, 'credit': '(Mike Powell/Getty Images)', 'height': 706, 'caption': 'William &quot;The Refrigerator&quot; Perry was known for his hulking size.', '_version': 1, 'imageLink': None, 'rendition': None, 'sizeInBytes': '99780', 'borderToggle': None, 'componentVariation': 'image'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/image/instances/ckfx4i1lj002r3h61dtuwrim2@published'}], 'description': [{'data': {'text': "If you've got a nickname like &quot;The Refrigerator,&quot; professional wrestling seems to be a good secondary venture. 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For this achievement, Perry was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006.'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/description/instances/ckfy0ya3k001t3h61d6lvjpmk@published'}, {'data': {'url': 'https://twitter.com/si_vault/status/122037304587059201', 'html': '<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Big John Studd and Refrigerator Perry battle it out at Wrestlemania II: <a href="http://t.co/6Ra4oM9n">pic.twitter.com/6Ra4oM9n</a></p>&mdash; SI Vault (@si_vault) <a href="https://twitter.com/si_vault/status/122037304587059201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2011</a></blockquote>\n', 'showMedia': True, 'showThread': True, 'componentVariation': 'tweet'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/tweet/instances/ckfy12vbl001x3h61c4jwu8hd@published'}], 'totalSlides': 7, 'reverseOrder': False, 'sectionFront': 'sports', 'hashLinkPrefix': 'william--quot-refrigerator-quot--perry', 'slidesNumbered': False, 'galleryTypeClass': 'component--gallery-slide__sports', 'componentVariation': 'gallery-slide'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/gallery-slide/instances/ckfx4i1lj002q3h61391phii3@published'}, {'data': {'title': 'Lawrence Taylor', '_version': 1, 'hashLink': 'lawrence-taylor-ckfx4i1mj002s3h61f75pwguv', 'slideEmbed': [{'data': {'alt': 'Lawrence Taylor', 'url': 'https://images.radio.com/aiu-media/GettyImages736396687-36ad0c7b-d928-4fc4-bccb-3f47c696fdf8.jpg', 'width': 1024, 'credit': '(Mike Powell/Allsport/Getty Images)', 'height': 689, 'caption': 'Lawrence Taylor is one of the greatest NFL players of all time.', '_version': 1, 'imageLink': None, 'rendition': None, 'sizeInBytes': '62164', 'borderToggle': None, 'componentVariation': 'image'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/image/instances/ckfx4i1mk002t3h61zprsee6k@published'}], 'description': [{'data': {'text': "I don't need to go into too much detail about the football career of Lawrence Taylor. I think we're all aware of just how dominant the Hall of Famer was, setting the standard for a quarterback's worst nightmare and becoming a rare league MVP as a defensive player."}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/description/instances/ckfy15b1k00313h61exblkx3b@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'His pro wrestling career was a little bit stranger. He appeared in exactly one match after he had already retired from the NFL, stemming from a feud with Bam Bam Bigelow that eventually resulted in the two facing off at WrestleMania 11.'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/description/instances/ckfy19yqv00333h61or5eqblz@published'}, {'data': {'url': 'https://twitter.com/espn/status/1113063639928365063', 'html': '<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">On This Date: In 1995, NFL legend Lawrence Taylor defeated Bam Bam Bigelow at WrestleMania XI. (via <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WWE</a>) <a href="https://t.co/iOsVcKzn9L">pic.twitter.com/iOsVcKzn9L</a></p>&mdash; ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1113063639928365063?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2019</a></blockquote>\n', 'showMedia': True, 'showThread': True, 'componentVariation': 'tweet'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/tweet/instances/ckfy1c0f800373h618wrqchrr@published'}, {'data': {'text': "Taylor's posse that surrounded him during the match featured Reggie White, Steve &quot;Mongo&quot; McMichael, Chris Speilman and other NFL stars."}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/description/instances/ckfy1fva600383h61o8sn69n8@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2081362-wwe-turning-point-analyzing-historical-impact-of-lt-vs-bam-bam-bigelow" target="_blank">Travis Wakeman of Bleacher Report</a> calls it a turning point for the WWE, considering the WWE had expanded their boundaries to enter the world of celebrity cameos -- celebrities who <em>won </em>the matches against their professional wrestlers -- in a decision that had both positive and negative effects on the viewing experience.'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/description/instances/ckfy1heur003b3h61ix9722pz@published'}], 'totalSlides': 7, 'reverseOrder': False, 'sectionFront': 'sports', 'hashLinkPrefix': 'lawrence-taylor', 'slidesNumbered': False, 'galleryTypeClass': 'component--gallery-slide__sports', 'componentVariation': 'gallery-slide'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/gallery-slide/instances/ckfx4i1mj002s3h61f75pwguv@published'}], 'featured': False, 'pageTitle': '7 NFL players who made appearances in professional wrestling', 'manualSlugUnlock': False, 'plaintextShortHeadline': '7 NFL players who made appearances in professional wrestling', 'syndicationStatus': 'original', 'inlineAd': {'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/google-ad-manager/instances/ckfx49aai000bvzqozpvxyjxo@published'}, 'showSocial': True, 'slidesNumbered': False, 'seoHeadline': '7 NFL players who made appearances in professional wrestling', 'pageDescription': 'Lawrence Taylor and Steve “Mongo” McMichael are among the NFL players who expanded the boundaries of the gridiron for stints as professional wrestlers, be it for a one-match cameo or for an entire secondary career.', 'featuredSports': False, '_version': 17, 'contentType': 'gallery', 'slug': '7-nfl-players-who-made-appearances-in-professional-wrestling', 'feedImgUrl': 'https://images.radio.com/aiu-media/GettyImages50830098-8cc35973-20b6-4010-ba42-4207128ca5cc.jpg', 'sectionFront': 'national', 'hosts': [], 'seoDescription': 'Lawrence Taylor and Steve “Mongo” McMichael are among the NFL players who expanded the boundaries of the gridiron for stints as professional wrestlers, be it for a one-match cameo or for an entire secondary career.', 'articleTime': '14:13', 'plaintextPrimaryHeadline': '7 NFL players who made appearances in professional wrestling', 'tags': ['NFL', 'WWE', 'Wrestling'], 'crumbs': [], 'availableStandoutArticleInventory': True, 'rightRailStickyAd': {'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/google-ad-manager/instances/ckfx49aai000dvzqoda0wgdu7@published'}, 'stationURL': None, 'shortHeadline': '7 NFL players who made appearances in professional wrestling', 'noIndexNoFollow': False, 'breadcrumbs': [{'hidden': False, 'text': 'Sports', 'url': '//www.audacy.com/sports'}, {'hidden': False, 'text': 'NFL', 'url': '//www.audacy.com/sports/nfl'}], 'authors': ['Jordan Cohn'], 'secondaryAttribution': [], 'secondaryBylineText': 'Photograph By', 'componentVariation': 'gallery', 'sources': [{'text': 'RADIO.COM '}], 'footer': [{'data': {'text': '<strong>LISTEN NOW on the\xa0</strong><a href="https://app.radio.com/x4SLCVSJA2"><strong>RADIO.COM App</strong></a><br /><strong>Follow RADIO.COM Sports</strong><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/RDCSports"><strong>Twitter</strong></a><strong>\xa0|\xa0</strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/radiodotcomsports"><strong>Facebook</strong></a><strong>\xa0I\xa0</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/radiodotcomsports/?hl=en"><strong>Instagram</strong></a>'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/ckfy1iso8003d3h614wzla9ji@published'}], 'reverseOrder': False, 'slugLock': True, 'textTags': ['NFL', 'WWE', 'Wrestling'], 'fullWidthLead': False, 'primaryHeadline': '7 NFL players who made appearances in professional wrestling', 'content': [{'data': {'text': 'Every professional wrestling fan knows the name Brock Lesnar. Every WWE diehard remembers how Bill Goldberg dominated the ring with his punishing spear and brutal Jackhammer. Any wannabe wrestler who has attempted a moonsault has probably looked to the 6-foot-5, 450-pound Vader for inspiration.', 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/ckfx49aai000fvzqobd2ukwa5@published'}, {'data': {'text': "But does the NFL fan base -- with the exception of Falcons fans (Goldberg), Vikings fans (Lesnar) and Rams fans (Vader) -- remember that these wrestling studs were also NFL talents at one point in their respective careers? Goldberg would probably be the most memorable, considering he actually saw game action in 14 contests throughout the early 1990s. But they're much more recognizable in the square ring as opposed to on the gridiron."}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/ckfx5eoaa00623h61o7leid6v@published'}, {'data': {'text': "The same can't be said for many of the figures we've compiled on the list below, however. That's because these seven names spent a lot of time in the NFL, but not so much time as &quot;professional wrestlers&quot; -- save for a few of them who were legitimate talents and long-standing personalities in the professional wrestling circuit. It's not too hard to imagine how a football player could morph into a wrestler and vice versa... can't you see Batista wreaking havoc as a linebacker?", 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/ckfx5hnfa006s3h61ixjym9io@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Whether it was a cameo appearance or a full-fledged Hall of Fame career, these seven dual athletes took their football skills to the ring in memorable wrestling stints.', 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/ckfx5jcgu007i3h614bjr1dza@published'}], 'stationLogoUrl': None, 'isContentFromAP': False, 'contentPageSponsorLogo': {'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/google-ad-manager/instances/ckfx49aai000evzqoz8pm8t71@published'}, 'stationSyndication': [{'sectionFront': 'sports', 'importer': True, 'callsign': 'WROCAM', 'stationSlug': 'espnrochester', 'stationName': 'ESPN Rochester', 'secondarySectionFront': '', 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