SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- It’s common to hear about the rock ’n’ roll, MTV and WWE crossroads of the 1980s — a cultural shift that helped change the course of professional wrestling.But what about the impact of pro football?You could argue that some of wrestling’s greatest stars first made t heir mark on the gridiron before stepping into the ring.And there's a stacked list of footballers turned wrestlers that prove it. For starters, look at stars like Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, Trick Williams, Pat McAfee, Bron Breakker, and Baron Corbin and legends like The Rock, Ron Simmons, Goldberg, JBL, "Dr. Death" Steve Williams and Steve "Mongo" McMichael. Who could forget when New York Giant Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor main evented WrestleMania 11, accompanied to the ring by several football players like Reggie White and Ken Norton Jr., and defeated Bam Bam Bigelow. San Jose native and WWE wrestler Bayley, a known die-hard member of the Niner Gang, appeared on "The Finish with Kor Tor." The Grand Slam champion said she’d love to see WWE bring back the 20-man battle royal from WrestleMania 2, won by André the Giant, which featured NFL players and WWE wrestlers. Bayley told The Finish, "Whoa! Hells yeah. I mean, I'd be so nervous for all of them. I think I'm too attached now, where I'd be like 'Don't get hurt!!' But ya know, it'd be really fun to watch, and I'd love to help them with that. I'd love to be their guest trainer and show them how to win. I've won a Royal Rumble, ya know, so I can teach them how to do these things." At a post-game press conference on Oct. 20, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle sports a shirt featuring one of his all-time favorite wrestlers, The Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels. 49er tight end George Kittle has a collection of wrestling T-shirts that he wears to postgame news conferences, including an HBK shirt, and he’s a regular at ringside for major WWE premium live events. How big of a wrestling fan is George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers? In this photo gallery, we revisit the long-standing love story between football and professional wrestling — and some of the athletes who helped connect the two worlds over the years. Florida State University nose guard Ron Simmons. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)William "Refrigerator" Perry at Wrestlemania 2 at the Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, Illinois April 7,1986.(Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)Wrestlemania at Tmes Square, Lawrence Taylor goes after Bam Bam Bigelow as Big Daddy looks on. (Photo By: Dan Farrell/NY Daily News via Getty Images)Brock Lesnar takes a break between drills. (Photo by Tom Dahlin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 19: Brock Lesnar is introduced before his match against Oba Femi during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)OCTOBER 22: Defensive end Dwayne Johnson #94 of the University of Miami Hurricanes walks on the field during the NCAA game against the University of Virginia on October 22, 1994. Dwayne Johnson is also known as "The Rock" of World Wrestling Federation. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 06: Paul Heyman, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Roman Reigns look on following a fight against Cody Rhodes and Seth "Freakin" Rollins during Night One of WrestleMania 40 at Lincoln Financial Field on April 06, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)DECEMBER 27: Bill Goldberg #71 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on during the NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams on December 27, 1992. Bill Goldberg made a transition from the NFL to a wrestling star after an abdominal injury forced him to retire from football. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JUNE 16: Goldberg makes his entrance during Monday Night RAW at Resch Center on June 16, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images)LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 18: Jelly Roll in action against Pat McAfee during WrestleMania 42: Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Rich Freeda/WWE via Getty Images)ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - APRIL 3: Pat McAfee (R) joins forces with Randy Orton (L) during SmackDown at Enterprise Center on April 3, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images)LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 10: WWE Champion Bron Breakker attends the 2024 Big 12 Conference Football Media Days at Allegiant Stadium on July 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images)JBL during WWE WrestleMania 21 "WrestleMania Goes Hollywood" at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by J. Shearer/WireImage for BWR Public Relations)GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 21: UFC fighters Tracy Cortez, Sean O’Malley and Baron Corbin pose with Arizona Cardinals jerseys before the NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium on October 21, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Chargers 17-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 6: Trick Williams celebrates during Sunday Night's Main Event at State Farm Arena on September 6, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Marques/WWE via Getty Images)PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 06: Rey Mysterio and former NFL player Jason Kelce react following a match during Night One of WrestleMania 40 at Lincoln Financial Field on April 06, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 06: Rey Mysterio and former NFL player Jason Kelce react following a match during Night One of WrestleMania 40 at Lincoln Financial Field on April 06, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 07: Snoop Dogg with the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders and Swoop announces the attendance record during Night Two of WrestleMania 40 at Lincoln Financial Field on April 7, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by WWE/Getty Images)LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 19: Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers and George Kittle in attendance during WrestleMania 42: Night 2 at Allegiant Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Rich Freeda/WWE via Getty Images)LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 19: Roman Reigns celebrates after defeating CM Punk during the World Heavyweight Championship match during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) See more stories from The Finish with Kor Tor: Trick Dog visits ‘The Finish with Kor Tor’: Nationally acclaimed SF cocktail bar talks old-school inspired wrestling menuWWE’s Royce Keys talks East Palo Alto honor, top 4 dream opponents and why ‘no title is safe’Legendary wrestler remembers Dolly Parton as childhood neighbor in Tennessee ...read more read less