Super Bowl 2011: 10 Packers and Steelers We Would Love To See in the Ring
Cowboys stadium will be hosting this years Super Bowl between the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2010, it was the host of two PPV boxing events; both featuring boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao. Would any football players be willing to take a step into the squared circle?
There have been relatively few successful NFL players who have transitioned from the field to the ring, but the ultimate proving ground of toughness could be a credible option for players who need to feed their aggression off the field. Ed "Too Tall" Jones went 6-0 in a three-month stint in 1979.
With the Super Bowl coming up, I thought it would be interesting to look at 10 players from both teams who we would love to see get in the ring, whether it's to win or lose.
Since most of them would be in or around the heavyweight division and new to the sport, the focus will be on aggression, something missing from most heavyweight boxers, and defense, an important asset to have when facing the technical side of the sport.
No. 10 Clay Matthews
1 of 10
Team: Packers
Weight: 255
Height: 6' 3"
Division: Heavyweight
As the linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, Matthews has the youth and physical tools needed to be a young gun in the ring. There is also a history with the Matthews family and boxing. H. L. Matthews, son of Clay Matthews Sr., was a boxer and coach at The Citadel. It's always nice knowing someone in your family was a boxer. His relentlessness would be a key factor in the ring.
No. 9 Atari Bigby
2 of 10
Team: Packers
Weight: 211
Height: 5'11"
Division: Cruiserweight (200 lbs) or Heavyweight (Over 200)
The Packers' Safety, Atari Bigby, is one of the strongest and most aggressive players on the team. He has the physical tools and mindset to be successful in the fighting business, where it takes commitment and dedication to training and combining that with the emotions that comes with fighting. His success in the ring relies on what division he chooses to be at. A 5'11" heavyweight would not make it far in this age.
No. 8 Dennis Dixon
3 of 10
Team: Steelers
Weight: 195
Height: 6' 3"
Division: Cruiserweight
Steelers QB, Dennis Dixon, has the physical tools to be a great cruiserweight. He was a Heisman Trophy candidate at the University of Oregon and would have a tremendous physical advantage over his opponents. The cruiserweight division in boxing is so lackluster right now as they make their way towards heavyweight.
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No. 7 Charles Woodson
4 of 10
Team: Packers
Weight: 202
Height: 6' 2"
Division: Cruiserweight
Woodson is part of the Packers defensive "super-team." He's excellent at running plays and very physical. Following a gameplan is a good thing to have if you are boxer. Having multiple ones is a great thing. Woodson would be the type of player that could handle adversity and make changes mid-fight.
No. 6 Greg Jennings
5 of 10
Team: Packers
Weight: 198
Height: 5' 11"
Division: Cruiserweight
Jennings is one of the best receivers in the NFL, and he is only 27 years old.The Packers' success may be riding on Jennings' ability to be at his best that night.
He led the Packers in receiving touchdowns in 2007 and was part of the 2006 NFL All Rookie Team. Ok, so what does this have to do with boxing? His drive to be the best in certain areas puts him at a distinct advantage over a lot of boxers in the cruiserweight division, where lack of focus and attention is visible.
No. 5 Troy Palamalu
6 of 10
Team: Steelers
Weight: 207
Height: 5' 7"
Division: Cruiserweight (200)
As one of the shortest guys on the team, Palamalu would have a very hard time being successful in the cruiserweight division. But that's not why he's here. He is also known for his dirty tactics and helmet-to-helmet contact on the field. If he tries any of that in the ring, which would be head-to-head contact, he wouldn't last very long and it would be satisfying to see.
No. 4 Aaron Rogers
7 of 10
Team: Packers
Weight: 225
Height: 6' 2"
Division: Heavyweight
Accuracy and mobility are two of Rodgers' skills that would take a boxer far in terms of success and ring time. The ability to hit and not be hit are keys to being a healthy boxer and what every boxer should try to aim for. If you can master these two things, your chances of winning and not having to go to the hospital are very good.
No. 3 James Harrison
8 of 10
Team: Steelers
Weight: 242
Heigh: 6' 0"
Division: Heavyweight
Intimidation is something that can be very helpful, and it can also hurt you. Mike Tyson had it in the late 1980's. He had the power to intimidate his opponents before he ever stepped into the ring, winning the fight before it even happened. Harrison would have this advantage too as one of the most intimidating players in the game.
No. 2 Hines Ward
9 of 10
Team: Steelers
Weight: 205
Height: 6' 0"
Division: Cruiserweight (200 lbs)
He has been called one of the most dirtiest players in the league, and if it's one thing about dirty players, they have a lot of pent up aggression that comes out at the wrong time. Putting him in the ring would be a good way of humbling that aggression. He certainly plays as if he wants a fight, and there's no better place to find one than in the ring.
No. 1 Ben Roethlisberger
10 of 10
Team: Steelers
Weight: 241
Height: 6' 5"
Division: Heavyweight
For Roethlisberger, I think a lot of people would love to see him take a beating, especially if you're not a Steeler's fan. As far as skills, Roethlisberger wouldn't do that bad with the right training. He is a tough player, and in the heavyweight division, this is something you need to have. His awareness when things get rough are also a key to success. He has the skills to take advantage of small openings that could be major in finding openings.
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