A very large group of NFL players enjoy professional wrestling and the WWE. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo have even participated in the storylines at live events. Buffalo Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins says he won’t be getting in the ring right now, but he’s in Las Vegas this weekend to attend both nights of Wrsetlemania with tens of thousands of his closest friends. He’s even participating in an official WWE event.
“I want to see CM Punk.
I want to see Brock Lesnar and Oba [Femi]. I also want to see Mysterio. I want to see what he does. I also want to see how that little situation goes with Liv [Morgan] and that whole [Judgement Day] crew. I want to see how that goes,” Dawkins told me this week, referencing storylines from the Raw brand of WWE. “Roman Reigns, of course, yes, that.”
Dawkins had an online conversation with WWE wrestler Logan Paul in March, after the popular YouTuber-turned-pro athlete issued an open challenge on his Impaulsive podcast.
“If any of the football players wanna fight, we could see what happens,” said Paul on the show, offering a million-dollar bounty.
Paul has been specifically sparring with Tom Brady, part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. This year’s Wrestlemania is in Vegas at the Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium. The two were jawing during a flag football exhibition among other places.
“Sure sure why not,” posted Dawkins with three eyeball emojis.
Former NFL running back Le’Veon Bell popped in to drop some pictures and video of himself sparring with Dawkins for good measure.
You know, [Paul] is a… I like the guy. I really do. I really, really do,“ repeated Dawkins. ”He’s great at what he does. And, you know, this is entertainment. And I like to entertain just as well as he does. I like to poke. And I’m telling you, like, there’s so much more that’s coming with Dion and Logan and all this stuff. But those guys do a good job.“
Stay tuned!
Dawkins is also partnering with WWE, playing in the WWE 2K26 Showdown Tournament Friday afternoon.
If you’re still a wrestling fan, or were one at one point, make sure and check out Cageside Seats, which is the SB Nation wrestling community. They have a great time each week talking wrestling. If you get a minute this week, let folks their know your favorite Wrestlemania moment.
We’ll have more from this interview with Dion Dawkins in the coming days and weeks.
Dawkins joined us to promote Crest Oral-B’s Closing America’s Smile Gap Initiative:
“Tooth decay is the #1 chronic illness in underserved families, and 50% of low-income parents skip or delay their own dental care to get their kids the care they need. This is the ‘smile gap’.”
For Dawkins, this partnership is personal—he understands that confidence, health, and opportunity all start with something as simple as a smile.
Consumers can play a direct role: purchasing Crest products—like Crest 3D White Deep Stain Remover—helps fund free dental cleanings for families in need through this partnership.
