Gable Steveson Brings an Olympic Wrestling Story to Buffalo Bills Football

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Gable Steveson arrived in Buffalo in 2024 with a résumé unlike almost anyone else on an NFL roster. The Minnesota heavyweight was a two-time NCAA champion and finished his college wrestling career with an 85-2 record. He then won heavyweight gold for the United States at the Tokyo Olympics, becoming the youngest freestyle wrestler to win Olympic gold in the super heavyweight division.

The Bills signed Steveson as an undrafted defensive tackle, giving him an opportunity to make one of the most unusual transitions in recent football history. He had no traditional football background, so the challenge was learning the fundamentals of defensive line play while trying to translate the balance, leverage and explosiveness developed through years of wrestling. He wore No. 61 in Buffalo and even appeared in a preseason game during his attempt to make the roster.

Although his NFL chapter with Buffalo was brief, a Gable Steveson T-Shirt represents one of the more unexpected stories connected to Bills football. His Olympic career, NCAA dominance and attempt to move from the wrestling mat to the football field give this piece a distinct connection to Buffalo's history beyond the usual player storyline.