Which NFL stars have participated in WrestleMania in the past?

WrestleMania 39 is in full swing and sees significant NFL involvement too. George Kittle was at hand to assist Pat McAfee in his tussle against The Miz.

It marks the latest foray into professional wrestling by professional footballers. It's a long tradition that dates back a few years. Here, we look at NFL stars who have graced WrestleMania in the past.

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NFL involvement in WrestleMania

#1 Carl Banks, LB, New York Giants, WrestleMania 2, VII and XI

The man who has appeared the most in WrestleMania from the NFL world is Carl Banks. The linebacker was part of WrestleMania 2.

However, unlike others on the list, he was just a guest referee in that edition and did not take part in a fight. At WrestleMania VII, he was part of a skit before returning to WrestleMania XI as Lawrence Taylor's manager.

#2 Ed Jones, DE, Dallas Cowboys, WrestleMania 2

Joining Carl Banks as a guest referee in the second edition was Ed Jones. Unlike Banks, though, he did not return for future events.

#3 Participants in Battle Royal, WrestleMania 2

Taking place in the second edition, Battle Royal was a contest with multiple fighters in which the last person standing would be crowned the winner. Many NFL players took part in the fight, and they're listed below.

#a - Jim Covert, OT, Chicago Bears, WrestleMania 2

#b - Bill Fralic, OG, Atlanta Falcons, WrestleMania 2

#c - Russ Francis, TE, San Francisco 49ers, WrestleMania 2

#d - Ernie Holmes, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers, WrestleMania 2

#e - Harvey Martin, DE, Dallas Cowboys, WrestleMania 2

#f - William Perry, DL, Chicago Bears, WrestleMania 2 and 22

Note: William Perry took part in the Battle Royal at WrestleMania 2. He returned to the 22nd edition as he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

#4 Paul Maguire, LB, Buffalo Bills, WrestleMania VII

Along with Carl Banks, he was also involved in a skit in the seventh edition of the event.

#5 Lawrence Taylor, LB, New York Giants, WrestleMania XI

The NFL Superstar and arguably the greatest defensive player in history wrestled in a standard match against Bam Bam Bigelow in the main event, which he would go on to win.

He was managed by many other NFL players, including Carl Banks as mentioned before. The other players involved in managing him were as follows:

#a - Rickey Jackson, LB, New Orleans Saints, WrestleMania XI

#b - Steve McMichael, DT, Chicago Bears, WrestleMania XI

#c - Ken Norton Jr., LB, Dallas Cowboys, WrestleMania XI

#d - Chris Spielman, LB, Detroit Lions, WrestleMania XI

#e - Reggie White, DE, Green Bay Packers, WrestleMania XI

#6 - Rob Gronkowski, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, WrestleMania 33 and 36

The most recent entrant into WWE was Rob Gronkowski. In WrestleMania 33, he was part of a storyline where he entered the ring during Battle Royal and helped his friend Mojo Rawley win the event.

At WrestleMania 36, he was the host for both nights but left after winning the WWE 24/7 Championship.