Philadelphia Eagles fans who also enjoy WWE have had an exciting year, with yet another crossover between football and wrestling. After Eagles stars Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson appeared at WrestleMania in Philadelphia this past April, a former Eagles player is now officially entering the world of professional wrestling.
Reports confirm that ex-Eagles running back Elijah Holyfield has signed a contract with WWE and will begin his wrestling career in WWE NXT. Holyfield, the son of boxing icon Evander Holyfield, caught WWE’s attention during a tryout held before August’s SummerSlam event in Cleveland. With his impressive build—standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 215 pounds—along with his athletic background, Holyfield seems to have the tools to make an impact in the wrestling world.
Before his foray into wrestling, Holyfield made his mark on the football field. A product of the University of Georgia, he went undrafted in 2019 but signed with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent. Later, he joined the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Holyfield also spent time on the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad during the 2021 and 2022 seasons but hasn’t been part of an NFL roster since then.
While transitioning from sports to WWE isn’t uncommon, it’s always intriguing to see how former athletes adapt to the physically demanding world of professional wrestling. WWE has a history of recruiting top-tier athletes from various sports, providing them opportunities to showcase their physicality and charisma in the ring.
For Holyfield, this new chapter offers a chance to reinvent himself in a different arena. With his athletic pedigree and physique, he has the potential to thrive in WWE’s developmental program. Whether he can transition successfully to the “squared circle” remains to be seen, but his journey will undoubtedly be watched closely by both wrestling and football fans.
As Holyfield begins this new venture, his story adds to the growing list of athletes who have made the leap from the gridiron to the wrestling ring, blending their athletic prowess with the theatrical spectacle of professional wrestling.
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