Former Miami Dolphins defensive back Trill Williams is hanging up his cleats and putting on his wrestling shoes, signing a deal with WWE.
Williams, 24, went undrafted out of Syracuse in 2021. However, the safety landed a deal with the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad and later joined the Dolphins.
With one appearance for Miami under his belt, he went unsigned for two years after being waived by the Dolphins ahead of the 2023 season and eventually changed his path to professional wrestling.
According to Bobby Shouse of The Dive Bar Podcast, Williams signed with WWE after a successful tryout over the summer.
The schedule for his television appearances with the promotion is still unclear, although he will likely begin with the NXT developmental program.
Former Miami Dolphins player Trill Williams signed with WWE after being cut from the NFL
Williams already made her debut in front of WWE cameras with a cameo backstage on Tuesday’s installment of NXT.
The alleged path of the Syracuse product also stems from WWE’s flagship shows, Raw and Smackdown, which rarely welcome new talent unless they have valuable wrestling experience.
Williams wouldn’t be the first NFL star to try his hand at professional wrestling. Veteran WWE talent Baron Corbin, who left the promotion earlier this month, spent time with the Indianapolis Colts in 2009 and the Arizona Cardinals from 2010 to 2011 before entering the ring.
On the other hand, WWE and UFC star Brock Lesnar tried his luck in the NFL by joining the Vikings. However, the wrestling legend was cut in the preseason.
Roman Reigns, WWE’s biggest star today, also tried out for the Vikings and Jaguars before spending a season with the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League.