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FanSided

An unconventional look into the Commanders’ drafting history

By Jonathan Eig

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 29: Quarterbacks Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins #12 of the Washington Redskins watch warmups before play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers August 29, 2013 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 29: Quarterbacks Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins #12 of the Washington Redskins watch warmups before play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers August 29, 2013 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /
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ST. LOUIS, MO – DECEMBER10: Head coach George Allen applauds his team on the sideline during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals on December 10, 1977 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. The Redskins defeated the Cardinals 26-20. (Photo by Nate Fine via Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – DECEMBER10: Head coach George Allen applauds his team on the sideline during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals on December 10, 1977 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. The Redskins defeated the Cardinals 26-20. (Photo by Nate Fine via Getty Images) /

The Wrestlers

Old timers may remember that in 1975, George Allen made it publicly known that he was considering signing wrestling superstar Andre the Giant to an NFL contract. This was merely a publicity stunt as neither side was genuinely interested. But George Allen did give a tryout to another athlete who would eventually become a standout professional wrestler. So did Washington’s other two iconic coaches, Vince Lombardi and Joe Gibbs. (Sorry, Ray Flaherty – you are iconic too, but I don’t know if you ever recruited a wrestler.)

So here’s your obscure Washington football trivia question – what three men, each of whom would go on to successful careers in professional wrestling – were given tryouts by Vince Lombardi, George Allen, and Joe Gibbs? Two were cut, while the third lasted one season on the taxi squad.

(And, by the way, if you are in fact the type who keeps a running list of greatest supplemental draft picks in team history, you need more of a challenge. There were only five total.)

Next. Best Washington Football draft picks by round. dark

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