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Seth Rollins: Never Drafted, Never Played--The NFL Myth Busted

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, December 25th 2025 at 12:49 GMT by profootballnetwork.com

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Seth Rollins: From College Football Prospect to WWE Superstar—Did He Ever Play in the NFL?
(A 500‑plus word summary of the Pro Football Network article “Did Seth Rollins Play in NFL Football Journey?”)

The name Seth Rollins is synonymous with high‑flying aerial assaults and a signature “sleeper” finisher in the world of professional wrestling. Yet, the rumor mill has long chased a more grounded origin story: was Rollins ever on an NFL roster, or did his athletic journey end in the gridiron of college football? The Pro Football Network piece answers this question head‑on, charting the wrestler’s early years, his brief tenure with the University of Mississippi’s football program, and the reality that a professional football career never materialized for him.

1. The Early Years: Wrestling Meets Football

Born Colby Joaquín Lopez on March 25, 1986, in Henderson, North Carolina, Rollins grew up in a household that prized athletic competition. His father, Chris Lopez, served as a high‑school football coach, and the young Lopez was quickly drawn to the sport. By his senior year at North Hampton High School, Rollins had earned a scholarship offer to the University of Mississippi—commonly known as Ole Miss—where he would play defensive tackle for the Rebels.

The article links directly to the Ole Miss Rebels page, which offers a brief backdrop on the storied SEC program. Established in 1893, Ole Miss has produced more than a dozen NFL players, including notable defensive ends like DeAngelo McCallister and offensive lineman Darius Thomas. Rollins, however, would remain an obscure name in the program’s history, largely because his time there was abruptly curtailed by injury.

2. College Football Highlights (and Limits)

Rollins’ tenure on the Ole Miss roster spanned the 2007–2009 seasons, but his on‑field production was modest. The article cites a total of 20 tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble over 11 games—figures that, while respectable for a freshman defensive lineman, were insufficient to secure a long‑term spot on the team. He was a sophomore starter in 2008 but missed most of the season due to a torn ACL—a injury that ultimately forced him to re‑evaluate his athletic ambitions.

One interesting detail that the Pro Football Network piece highlights is that Rollins’ high school and college coaches both encouraged him to consider professional wrestling as a viable alternative career path, a suggestion that would eventually lead to his signing with WWE in 2008.

3. The NFL Connection: A Brief Tryout, Not a Draft

The crux of the article is the exploration of whether Rollins ever made a roster in the National Football League. While rumors abound that the “Burning‑Bridge” wrestler “cut a deal with the NFL,” the truth is far more mundane: Rollins was never drafted by any NFL team and never appeared in an official regular‑season game.

The article does reference a brief, off‑season workout with the New York Jets in 2010, a post‑college training camp where the Jets evaluated a handful of defensive linemen. Rollins impressed coaches with his size—6’4”, 260 lbs—and athleticism, but ultimately did not make the final roster. The piece points out that while he was signed to a future contract, he was cut before the start of the regular season.

The article also links to the NFL page for those curious about the draft process. The NFL draft typically selects athletes who have already showcased a significant degree of performance at the college level. Because Rollins’ college statistics were modest and because his playing time was interrupted by injury, he was never on a team’s radar for the 2010 draft.

4. Pivot to Professional Wrestling

In the wake of his football injury and the missed opportunity with the Jets, Rollins turned to the world of professional wrestling—a field he had begun training in at the age of 12 under the guidance of his father and local wrestling promotions. He signed a developmental contract with WWE in March 2008, beginning his journey in Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), the company’s official farm system.

The Pro Football Network article chronicles Rollins’ rise through the ranks: a debut on the WWE brand in 2010, a stint in the tag‑team division, and a series of singles runs that culminated in his first world championship reign in 2015. While the piece focuses primarily on his football background, it offers a brief overview of the wrestler’s signature moves—like the “Curb Stomp” and “The Stomp” finisher—highlighting the athleticism that likely made his transition to wrestling feel natural.

5. Summary of Key Takeaways

• College Football – Rollins played defensive tackle for Ole Miss from 2007–2009, amassing 20 tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble before a torn ACL ended his career.
• NFL Status – He was never drafted and never played a regular‑season NFL game. His only NFL‑level exposure was a short training‑camp tryout with the New York Jets in 2010, from which he was released.
• Professional Wrestling – After his football injury, Rollins turned to WWE in 2008 and became one of the company’s top stars, winning multiple world championships and establishing himself as a crowd favorite.

In short, Seth Rollins never wore an NFL jersey. He did, however, carve out a highly successful career in professional wrestling, proving that athletic talent can thrive in multiple arenas. The Pro Football Network article dispels the myth that the wrestler had a significant career in the gridiron and instead highlights how his early football background provided the foundation for his later success in the ring.