ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Gable Steveson’s not the most important player heading to Buffalo Bills training camp, but he just might be the most interesting.
He’s not the first to try to learn a new sport at the highest level, but few have reached the peak elsewhere like Steveson. The wrestler was winning Olympic gold this time three years ago in Tokyo. Now, he’s literally starting at the elementary level of football, in the NFL.
Steveson got about two weeks of on-field work with the Bills before they disbursed for summer break. What steps forward can the wrestler-turned-football-hopeful make away from the team?
Sean McDermott, the former wrestler, was hands-on with Steveson to try and jump-start the transition. Still, he admitted he’s still adjusting to the helmet feeling heavy on his head. That doesn’t take into account learning the playbook.
There are zero expectations for Steveson to hit the ground running at St. John Fisher University and push to make the team, at least on the outside. He’s made it clear he’s not doing this for show.
It’s to succeed.
It’s to make the team.
It’s to play.
Training camp will be our first look at how Gable Steveson’s grappling his new opponent: Football.