Neal placed fourth in the 189-pound bracket at the 1994 California State Wrestling Championships. He attended California State-Bakersfield and placed fourth at the NCAA championships as a freshman in 1996, second in 1997, followed by NCAA titles at heavyweight in 1998 and 1999. His finals match against Minnesota's Brock Lesnar is among the most talked-about and historic matches in college wrestling history. Several months after winning his second NCAA championship, Neal won a freestyle World title and was named outstanding wrestler in the world. He placed second at the 2000 Olympic Trials and retired from active wrestling competition in 2001 after placing second at the World Team Trials.
What happened next defies logic. Although he didn't play a down of college football, Neal played 10 years in the NFL (2001-10) as an offensive lineman for the New England Patriots where he won three Super Bowl rings under legendary coach Bill Belichick.
How did Neal make it to the NFL without any college football experience? One reason. Stephen Neal was a wrestler.
‘How Wrestling Built Me’ is a podcast about the influence of wrestling beyond the mat. These are the stories of how wrestling develops a person in a singularly unique way. The people interviewed are those who have taken the skills of wrestling and used them to be highly successful in another endeavor. Whether it is business, politics, military, entertainment, broadcasting, writing, academics, or another sport -- ‘How Wrestling Built Me’ explores the universal qualities of wrestling that last a lifetime.
This show was produced by Trackwrestling.com
Subscribe to How Wrestling Built Me and listen anytime
Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Spreaker | Castbox | RSS
SUPPORT THE NETWORK
If you'd like to SUPPORT THE NETWORK and all the on-demand audio offerings, free newsletters and historical research AND you want to get some of that cool Compound gear, you can support this program by making a small monthly contribution to the network by following this link..
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Ruthie's Table 4
For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.