It’s no secret at all the many pro wrestlers started out as football players. Roman Reigns, Dwayne Johnson, Steve Austin, Mongo McMichael, John Layfield, Bill Goldberg, Ron Simmons, and that list goes on and on. Of course one name not to forget is the legendary and iconic Lex Luger.

Not only did he go on to become one of the greatest professional wrestlers the industry has ever seen, but he had one heck of a pro football career and especially a great run in the CFL with none other than the Montreal Alouettes.

Luger, whose real name is Lawrence Pfohl, was born in Buffalo, New York in 1958 and he received a football scholarship to Pennsylvania State University. Luger would end up leaving the university when the coaching staff suggested that he would be better suited as a defensive end or linebacker. Luger was an offensive lineman of course.

Well, he would eventually make it to the Miami Hurricanes, but ultimately that road would lead him to playing some pro football, but in Canada of all places…in the CFL, and for a team that’s near and dear to this writer’s heart for obvious reasons…the Montreal Alouettes.

He was with the Als from 1979 through to 1981…his crowning achievement would come as he played in the 67 Grey Cup, his first year with the team. The game was held in Montreal and at the infamous Olympic Stadium against the Edmonton Eskimos. Sadly Montreal would ultimately lose the game 17 to 9.

-via The Hannibal TV on YouTube

But, his legacy in Montreal would be set and although I wasn’t yet born, the moment has lived on in our city and both the game, that year’s lineup, and Lex himself will always be held in high regard and it is an epic moment and great example of some of the rich history in Montreal sports.

The work he put in during his time in the CFL would eventually get Luger signed to the Green Bay Packers of the NFL, but sadly he would be sidelined with injury for most of his time there and he didn’t get to play with the legendary NFL team. He has said this of his opportunity with the Packers:

“I would have loved to have had a long-term career with the Packers; are you kidding me? …If I did, I probably wouldn’t have become a wrestler. So, in the big picture, it worked out for me in that regard … Had it worked out in Green Bay, I seriously doubt I would have become a pro wrestler.”

-via Green Bay Press-Gazette (Wikipedia-transcription)

-image via Rick J on Twitter

His career would finish in the USFL, where he played for various teams in the first incarnation of that league…the Jacksonville Bulls, the Tampa Bay Bandits and the Memphis Showboats. But just when one door was closing, another door opened.

Physically gifted, Luger was made for the world of professional wrestling—especially in the eighties, when perfect bodies sold a lot of tickets, and Luger had the perfect physical attributes to make him a top star.

He studied under Hiro Matsuda who had trained the iconic Hulk Hogan (interestingly enough, Matsuda had once broken Hogan’s leg in training to dissuade him from pursuing a wrestling career, but Hogan’s coming back for more ingratiated him to the legendary Japanese wrestler).

For Luger, this would be in 1985 that he would start his training. Thus his studies in the sport of pro wrestling began, and he would make his debut in that realm that same year. The CWF was where he started to compete and would end up at Jim Crockett Promotions’ WCW…which of course was under the governing body that was the NWA.

-image via Wrestling News

All of this would lead to many epic and historic storylines and of course championship gold. Luger’s early days are indeed legendary amongst pro wrestling fans, but his career wouldn’t stop there, as he had yet to work for what was then starting to be known as the biggest show in town, the WWF (WWE).

It would be in 1992 that Luger would sign on with Vince McMahon’s World Bodybuilding Federation (now defunct), as co-host to their program, but perhaps it would be his debut in  a pro wrestling ring under the WWF banner that made the most amount of noise. That debut would come in 1993.

His run in WWF was probably one of the most iconic of the early to mid-nineties. With Hulk Hogan departing the company for WCW, the company was in need of a top draw and one that would attract the same type of audience that Hogan had.

Well, it worked for as long as it was destined to, and Luger, despite what the company may say now, did his job to the best of his ability, and fans were drawn to him and his star quality for sure.

Memorable moments included battling the mighty Yokozuna and of course teaming with the late, great Davey Boy Smith…the Allied Powers was a team that any 8 to 12 year-old-boy could certainly get on board with and I was in that demographic and I ate it up for sure.

-via The British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith on YouTube

But 1995 would bring yet another change of direction for the legend…he would decide to go to WCW and was one of the first shots fired in what would become the Monday Night Wars between WWF and WCW…something pro wrestling fans are quite fond of…a period that changed the game and changed it forever.

But in the end, this is a piece about football, and rare is it that a man can become legendary in one thing, but Lex Luger indeed became a legend in two sports, and really in the end, that’s reason enough to put the man on a pedestal. After all, isn’t that what sports are all about…putting our winners where we can praise and admire them?

Well so then enter Lex Luger…an icon, a winner, and a man that gave us all many reasons to cheer and root him on, and in two completely separate industries to boot.

Early Life and CFL Career

Lex Luger, born Lawrence Wendell Pfohl on June 2, 1958, in Buffalo, New York, had a promising athletic career from a young age. He received a football scholarship to Pennsylvania State University but left the university when the coaching staff suggested he would be better suited as a defensive end or linebacker. Luger, however, was determined to stick to his guns as an offensive lineman.

Eventually, he found his way to the Miami Hurricanes, but his journey took a significant turn when he ventured north to play pro football in the Canadian Football League (CFL). From 1979 to 1981, Luger donned the jersey of the Montreal Alouettes. His crowning achievement in the CFL came during his first year with the team when he played in the 67th Grey Cup against the Edmonton Eskimos. Although Montreal lost the game 17-9, Luger’s legacy in Montreal was cemented. His contributions to the team are still remembered fondly, and he remains a respected figure in the city’s rich sports history.

Transition to Professional Wrestling

After his stint in the CFL, Luger’s athletic prowess caught the attention of the Green Bay Packers in the NFL. Unfortunately, injuries sidelined him for most of his time there, preventing him from having a long-term career with the Packers. Reflecting on this period, Luger has often said that if things had worked out differently in Green Bay, he might never have become a pro wrestler.

Following his NFL experience, Luger played for various teams in the United States Football League (USFL), including the Jacksonville Bulls, the Tampa Bay Bandits, and the Memphis Showboats. However, it was his physical gifts and undeniable charisma that made him a natural fit for the world of professional wrestling. In the 1980s, when perfect physiques were a ticket to stardom, Luger’s impressive build made him stand out.

He began his wrestling training under the tutelage of Hiro Matsuda, the same legendary trainer who had once mentored Hulk Hogan. Matsuda’s rigorous training regimen prepared Luger for the challenges of the wrestling world, and in 1985, Luger made his debut in pro wrestling. His journey from the gridiron to the wrestling ring was just beginning, and it was clear that he was destined for greatness.

Wrestling Career Highlights

Rise to Fame in the WWF

Luger’s early days in pro wrestling are legendary among fans. In 1993, he joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), marking the beginning of an iconic run. With Hulk Hogan departing the company for WCW, the WWF needed a new top draw, and Luger fit the bill perfectly. His star power was undeniable, and fans were drawn to his charisma and athleticism.

One of the most memorable aspects of his WWF career was his partnership with the late, great Davey Boy Smith. Together, they formed the Allied Powers, a tag team that captured the imaginations of young wrestling fans everywhere. Luger’s intense feuds and memorable matches, including his rivalry with Barry Windham, further solidified his status as a wrestling icon. His finishing move, the Torture Rack, became a signature that left opponents reeling and fans in awe.

Championships and Accomplishments

Luger’s wrestling career was decorated with numerous championships and accomplishments. He was a two-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, a one-time WWA World Heavyweight Champion, and a five-time NWA/WCW United States Heavyweight Champion. His reigns set records for consecutive days and total days as champion, showcasing his dominance in the ring. Luger also became the second WCW Triple Crown Champion, a testament to his versatility and skill.

In the WWF, Luger challenged for every major title, including high-profile WWF World Heavyweight Championship matches at SummerSlam in 1993 and WrestleMania X in 1994. He was co-winner of the 1994 Royal Rumble alongside Bret Hart, a moment that remains etched in wrestling history. In 1993, Pro Wrestling Illustrated voted him Most Popular Wrestler of the Year, a fitting accolade for someone who truly embodied “The Total Package.”

Luger’s wrestling career was a testament to his hard work, dedication, and undeniable talent. His journey from the football field to the wrestling ring is a story of resilience and triumph, earning him a place among the legends of both sports.