Former NFL running back Elijah Holyfield, the son of legendary boxer Evander Holyfield, is stepping into a new arena—professional wrestling. The 26-year-old announced his signing with WWE in an enthusiastic social media post.
“The future is bright!!!” Holyfield wrote on X, quoting a post from WWE NXT, the organization’s development program for up-and-coming talent. The WWE NXT post featured Holyfield alongside 12 other recruits with the caption: “The future is looking bright! #WWENXT.”
A Promising Start in Football
Holyfield made a name for himself as a standout running back at the University of Georgia from 2016 to 2018. Despite going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, the 5-foot-11, 215-pound athlete signed with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent in April 2019. After being waived later that year, he joined the Philadelphia Eagles in December.
Holyfield’s NFL career highlights include appearing in a single game during the 2020 season—a narrow 22-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns on November 22. Following his release from the Eagles in 2021, Holyfield had a brief stint with the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad but never played in a game for the team.
Carrying the Holyfield Legacy
Elijah’s pivot to WWE marks a significant chapter in his athletic career, but he’s no stranger to greatness. His father, Evander Holyfield, is regarded as one of the most iconic boxers in history. Evander amassed an incredible 160-14 record, earned a bronze medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and remains the only professional boxer to win the heavyweight title four times.
With his signing to WWE, Elijah is poised to carve out his own legacy in the world of sports entertainment, building on the foundation of his family’s storied history in athletics. Fans and wrestling insiders alike are eager to see how his athleticism and drive translate to the squared circle.