Pro wrestling often gets a bad rap for being “fake” due to pre-determined outcomes and choreographed moves. However, former NFL star Jason Kelce recently discovered firsthand that the physicality and injuries involved in pro wrestling are all too real.
Kelce, a Super Bowl champion and current ESPN analyst, appeared at WrestleMania 40 earlier this year, where he and his former Philadelphia Eagles teammate Lane Johnson interfered in a match. In an appearance on “The Rick Eisen Show,” Kelce described his experience getting acclimated to pro wrestling, which included training at wrestling gyms in South Jersey and learning how to perform various moves and take bumps.
Kelce said that his brief time in the pro wrestling world dispelled any notion that wrestling was “fake.” “It’s like a massive slap to the chest,” he said of getting hit, adding that it actually hurts. “Everybody made it a lot of fun,” he continued. “Again, a lot of people say wrestling’s fake or whatever, and it’s like, well, so is the TV show you’re watching. But you can still have a level of respect for the amazing physical specimens that are doing outrageous things in front of you at speed.”
Kelce’s comments offer a unique perspective on the world of pro wrestling, highlighting the physical toll it takes on its performers. As a seasoned athlete, Kelce acknowledges that the moves and stunts performed in the ring are impressive, regardless of their pre-determined nature.
