Urban Legends of the NFL: Andre the Giant, Defensive End, Washington Redskins

October 19, 2016   ·   Mike Tanier   ·   Jump to comments

The NFL was filled with colorful characters in the 1970s.
There was "Mean" Joe Greene and Ed "Too Tall" Jones, "Hacksaw" Jack Reynolds and Jack "The Assassin" Tatum.
And, of course, there was Andre Roussimoff, better known as Andre the Giant. 
Wait, Andre the Giant wasn't a football player. He was a professional wrestler, perhaps the most beloved professional wrestler ever: a 7'4", 450-pound ogre with a heart of gold. Andre the Giant certainly looked like he would wreak havoc if someone designed a helmet in his size and lined him up at defensive end. But the French-speaking international superstar never played in the NFL.
Legend has it that he came close. Colorful Redskins coach and general manager George Allen wanted to sign Andre. He even sent a scout to meet Andre and his promoters before training camp in 1975. Joe Theismann himself was there for the meeting, captured forever in a famous photograph, the young quarterback dwarfed by the wrestling behemoth.
Read Complete Article at Bleacher Report - NFL
Article is property of BleacherReport.com