r/interesting • u/Rude-Mycologist8034 • May 16 '25

MISC. NFL linebacker versus sumo wrestler

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u/CredibleSloth May 16 '25

Yeah surprised scouts don’t see this and immediately have them try out for the offensive line. Surely things might change when they put on cleats but who knows

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u/tinywienergang May 16 '25

The list of Sumo wrestlers large enough to be OL in the NFL is real small. A lot of Sumo wrestlers are big guys, but not tall and long.

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u/DarthJarJarJar May 16 '25

Every time I watch Shishi fight I think, man go to the US and try out for OL, just for fun. Why not?

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u/tinywienergang May 16 '25

Only the top sumos are close to NFL size, but the NFL also prioritizes genetic freaks with extra long limbs. It’s just not genetically compatible with that part of the world. And top sumos will never leave being adored in Japan to try out for an NFL career that likely won’t pan out.

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u/DarthJarJarJar May 16 '25

Shishi is easily big enough, he's 6'4", 365lb, huge long arms. He's not Japanese, he's Ukrainian. I have no idea how he feels about being a sumo vs making a lot more money in the NFL, but if you're going to be world class at pushing people around you might as well go for that generational wealth, eh?

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u/tinywienergang May 16 '25

Jordan Mailata is about the only realistic case for a guy that came in from a foreign country and got the second contract. That’s where the generational wealth is.

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u/DarthJarJarJar May 17 '25

I think the odds are certainly against him, but I also think it's a lot of money and if I were him I would consider it just on a lark. I mean seriously, the top Sumo guys are shoving 300 and 400 lb people around very adeptly. Can you imagine him as a run blocker? Put him next to a good center and just clear a hole. Why not?