JUST IN: Eagles Star Swaps Helmets for Wrestling, Signs Blockbuster WWE Deal
Philadelphia Eagles fans who also enjoy WWE have had plenty to cheer about this year.
After Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson made a memorable appearance at April’s WrestleMania in Philadelphia, another Eagles connection is making waves in the wrestling world.
Reports reveal that former Eagles running back Elijah Holyfield has signed a contract with WWE, joining the NXT roster to pursue a full-time wrestling career. Holyfield, the son of boxing legend Evander Holyfield, reportedly participated in a WWE tryout ahead of August’s SummerSlam event in Cleveland.
With his impressive build—standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 215 pounds—and natural athleticism, Holyfield seems well-suited for the wrestling ring. A former University of Georgia standout, Holyfield went undrafted in 2019 but signed with the Carolina Panthers. He later spent time on the Eagles’ practice squad in 2019 and 2020 and joined the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Since then, he hasn’t been part of an NFL roster.
WWE frequently recruits former elite athletes for tryouts, so Holyfield’s path isn’t unusual. However, it will be intriguing to see if he can transition from the gridiron to the wrestling ring and make his mark in professional wrestling.