5 Best WWE Stars Who Played College Football

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1. Ron Simmons, Florida State

If you know anything about Ron Simmons, this choice comes as no surprise.

The man you may also know as Faarooq boasts not only one of the most distinguished careers in pro wrestling and WWE history, but one of the best college football runs ever.

In fact, Simmons is enshrined in both the College Football Hall of Fame and WWE Hall of Fame, having earned the former in 2008 and the latter in 2012.

Simmons spent his playing days at Florida State under legendary head coach Bobby Bowden from 1977-80 as a nose guard. Simmons earned two consensus All-American nods and eventually had his No. 50 retired by the Seminoles. It was just the third number the program ever retired and first for a defender. Simmons finished Top 10 in Heisman Trophy voting his junior year and remains fifth all-time in career tackles (383), third in sacks (25), and first in most career fumbles caused (17) and recovered (8).

Oh and then he got to work. Simmons is recognized by WWE as the first black world heavyweight champion in wrestling history, for his 1992 WCW title reign. Going under his given name, Simmons joined John “Bradshaw” Layfield as three-time WWE tag-team champions as the Acolytes and APA. And, while wrestling as Faarooq, Simmons established the Nation of Domination faction. The militaristic Nation helped shape the edgy vibe of the early Attitude Era, while also providing the backdrop by which The Rock would jolt to superstardom and Mark Henry would begin his WWE career.

Next: The 10 Greatest Tag Teams of All Time

When it comes down to it, most of us will never be Hall of Famers in any walk of life. Ron Simmons has plaques in two halls. Damn, that’s pretty good.

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