Buffalo Bills sign former WWE wrestler and Olympic gold medal winner Gable Steveson - who was once arrested on suspicion of sexual assault

The Buffalo Bills have signed Gable Steveson, a former WWE wrestler and Olympic gold medalist who was once arrested on suspicion of sexual assault, in one of the most surprising moves of the NFL offseason.

Steveson, 6ft 1 and 275 pounds, won gold in the 125kg freestyle competition for Team USA at the Covid-delayed 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo and made one WWE appearance at the SummerSlam in August 2021. He is joining on a three-year contract, according to ESPN. 

Speaking Friday, when his shock Bills move was announced, Steveson said: 'I have been fortunate to compete at the highest level of competition in my sport but am looking forward to the challenge of seeing how my wrestling skills may translate to football. I am grateful to Coach (Sean) McDermott, (general manager) Brandon Beane and the Buffalo Bills organization for giving me this opportunity.'

In June 2019, Steveson was arrested on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct with another wrestler, Dylan Martinez, after a woman said she had been raped and went to a hospital for treatment. Both were cleared six months later due to what prosecutors said was 'inadequate evidence'.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman was reported by Associated Press in December 2019 as saying: 'There are often conflicting versions of what happened and this case is no exception. In the interest of justice, there is inadequate evidence to fairly charge and prosecute this case. We appreciate her (the victim's) bravery in reporting this incident to police.'

When the news of his arrest resurfaced after he had signed for WWE, Steveson - who was never charged - addressed the allegations in a statement to Ringside News.

He said: 'One of the challenges for me personally especially over the past several months/years has been reading the criticisms and attacks on my character by people who don’t know me personally and my values. 

'No charges were ever brought by anyone and the entire episode has been difficult for everyone involved.

'Going forward people who don’t know me will hopefully see that kindness, respect and empathy are virtues I take very seriously in my life.'

Steveson, 24, could now be only the second man to win Olympic Gold and a Super Bowl after Bob Hayes.

Hayes won 100m gold and 4x100m gold, coincidentally also in Tokyo, in 1964 as well as the 1964 Super Bowl with Dallas Cowboys. 

Steveson has been identified by Bills head coach Sean McDermott to play on the defensive line. ESPN say that other teams in the NFL were interested in signing Steveson.

He won two national championships and three Big-Ten Conference championships in wrestling but did not play football. 

But players with non-football backgrounds have made their way into the game before.

Another notable example this summer has seen the Kansas City Chiefs sign Louis Rees-Zammit, the former Wales rugby star. Jordan Malaita, the Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle, played rugby league in Australia before converting to football.

Antonio Gates, the former San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers tight end, grew up playing basketball.