Goldberg played two seasons in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons before becoming a WWE star.

During his brief NFL career, Goldberg played with Deion Sanders. Sanders, now a coach, reminisced on Well Off Media about the wrestling matches in the Falcons’ locker room, often inviting Goldberg to join in on Fridays.

Goldberg thanked Sanders for starting his wrestling career.

“I have to give him full credit for my wrestling career,” Goldberg said (8:00 mark). “I never would have done it otherwise.”

It’s clear that Sanders’ suggestion for Goldberg to try wrestling was a good one. Three years after leaving the NFL, Goldberg started his wrestling career with WCW in 1997.

He quickly became famous with a 173-0 winning streak, and in 1998, he defeated Hulk Hogan to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.

The former defensive tackle joined WWE in 2003 after a brief period with All Japan Pro Wrestling. He won another World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Triple H.

Goldberg may have ended up in wrestling anyway, but Sanders likely planted the seed. Now, Goldberg is returning the favor. His son, Gage, committed to Colorado in January and will join Sanders and the Buffaloes this fall.