NFL Players to Appear at Wrestlemania, Including Bills OT Dion Dawkins

Dawkins partners with WWE for tournament and event appearances at the annual wrestling spectacle.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:24pm by

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a football player and a wrestler engaged in a physical confrontation, with their bodies broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of vibrant colors.The collision of the NFL and WWE at Wrestlemania showcases the growing crossover appeal of professional sports entertainment.San Francisco Today

Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins is among a growing number of NFL players who will be attending and participating in events surrounding this year's Wrestlemania in Las Vegas. Dawkins is excited to see several top WWE stars perform and is even partnering with the company to compete in a tournament during the Wrestlemania festivities.

Why it matters

The crossover between the NFL and WWE has been growing in recent years, with players like George Kittle and Cam Skattebo making appearances at WWE events. Dawkins' involvement highlights the continued interest among NFL players in professional wrestling and the entertainment value it provides.

The details

Dawkins said he is looking forward to seeing several top WWE stars perform at Wrestlemania, including CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, Rey Mysterio, and Roman Reigns. He has also had an online conversation with WWE wrestler Logan Paul, who has been sparring with NFL star Tom Brady. In addition to attending the event, Dawkins is partnering with WWE to compete in the WWE 2K26 Showdown Tournament on Friday.

  • Wrestlemania is taking place this weekend in Las Vegas.
  • Dawkins had an online conversation with Logan Paul in March about a potential match.

The players

Dion Dawkins

Buffalo Bills offensive tackle who is attending and participating in events at Wrestlemania this weekend.

George Kittle

San Francisco 49ers tight end who has participated in WWE storylines at live events.

Cam Skattebo

New York Giants running back who has also participated in WWE storylines at live events.

Logan Paul

WWE wrestler who has been sparring with NFL star Tom Brady.

Tom Brady

Part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders who has been jawing with Logan Paul.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills Offensive Tackle

“If any of the football players wanna fight, we could see what happens.”

— Logan Paul, WWE Wrestler

“Sure sure why not”

— Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills Offensive Tackle

What’s next

Dawkins is set to compete in the WWE 2K26 Showdown Tournament on Friday as part of his partnership with WWE.

The takeaway

The growing crossover between the NFL and WWE highlights the continued appeal of professional wrestling among football players and the entertainment value it provides. Dawkins' involvement in Wrestlemania events showcases this trend and the potential for more collaborations between the two sports entertainment industries.