Gable Steveson, an Olympic wrestler and former WWE pro, has accepted a contract to play offensive lineman with the Buffalo Bills. It seems absurd to former NFL offensive tackle Ramon Foster.
According to the 11-year veteran, Steveson has little chance of breaking into the league.
Foster could be correct, to be fair. During his audition in upstate New York, Steveson—who won a gold medal for the United States in Tokyo—wore cleats for the first time. He has never engaged in any football play.
Conversely, what stands to lose for Buffalo in this situation? The 6-foot-1, 265-pound former Minnesota Golden Gopher is a muscular man. He is skilled at applying leverage.
In addition, Gable Steveson possesses the agility and athleticism to perform an amazing backflip considering his size.
There isn’t much of a disadvantage to the Bills trying to teach the recently turned 24 year old the ropes. If he makes it to the practice squad, they will give him a meager salary.
Why not?
Foster made it obvious during an appearance on 104-5 The Zone that he disagreed with the gamble on Gable. Having spent over ten years playing guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers, he doesn’t think the wrestler will catch on.
Detest it. I detest this to the core. No, you were a professional in an other sport. Detest it. And I’m not upset with him. I detest this, so just call me a hater. You can’t just go to practice and assume you can handle this.
Wrestlers now play a significant role in this. I’m positive that Keannu Benton, Pittsburgh’s rookie from the previous season, was a wrestler. Zach Frazier, their draft choice this year, wrestled in high school. One of the fun aspects of playing football is wrestling.
— Foster Ramon
Foster does not believe that having a wrestling history alone is sufficient, given that wrestlers who have also played football have found success in both college and the NFL. He believes that Gable Steveson lacks sufficient qualifications to be on the roster.
This guy is trying to play football here, so hopefully they set him up for a nine-on-seven. Can you hear me? Just let him have his way with him, Dion Dawkins, and put him on Dawkins.
I’m sick of people trying to come in here and assume that just because they’re strong, physically fit, and have good quickness of movement, they can play in the NFL. No, that man is boo.
— Foster Ramon
Foster did not mince words. He believes Steveson is going to have a harsh awakening and tormented Buffalo for taking the initiative.
Not only do you want to come play football here, but you also no longer have your small leotard. You’re wearing pads. You must use cleats. We are not using the tiny, slick shoes on the plush mat. That is not what we have at all!
And what do you know?
You truly need to go to the play, and you need to be sufficiently aggressive to anticipate that we will trap you. A wham play on a guy like this excites me. Assemble a phony boyfriend for him, saying, “Oh my goodness. My right guard is here. Welcome to the program.
— Foster Ramon
Gable Steveson’s 2019 arrest on charges of criminal sexual behavior cast further doubt on the signing. Later that year, the charges were withdrawn for “inadequate evidence.”
Ramon Foster was not pleased to learn about the accusations.
Remove him from this place. He does not belong on this roster.
— Foster Ramon
Steveson will get the opportunity to disprove the former Steelers starter shortly. Before rejecting that notion, the Bills will give him time to work through this whole football issue.
Foster is obviously hoping they won’t!
