Second Thoughts

Williams sets pro wrestling as next move

Former Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (Wynne) is currently an NFL free agent. He’ll get to try out his moves in an Impact Wrestling ring July 2 when he competes in a tag-team match.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (Wynne) is currently an NFL free agent. He’ll get to try out his moves in an Impact Wrestling ring July 2 when he competes in a tag-team match.

While free-agent running back DeAngelo Williams (Wynne) searches for a new team, he's reportedly going to dabble in another contact sport: pro wrestling.

The former Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers running back has met with Impact Wrestling (formerly TNA), and it seems like he might just have a new gig.

According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Williams is going to compete in a tag-team match at the Slammiversary XV pay-per-view event July 2.

Meltzer reported the 34-year-old will wrestle alongside Moose, a former NFL offensive lineman who was rescued by Williams and former Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge in a previous story line for the wrestling company.

Williams is the latest in a long line of athletes, actors and future presidents who've entered the wrestling ring. Most recently, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski participated at the WWE's Wrestlemania 33 in April.

You're outta here

The Cleveland Browns waived safety Tyvis Powell on Friday, just hours before he was scheduled to throw out the first pitch at a Chicago White Sox-Cleveland Indians game at Progressive Field.

The Browns were not aware that Powell was scheduled to throw out the first pitch until after the roster move was made, a team spokesman confirmed to ESPN.

Powell is a native of Bedford, Ohio, a Cleveland suburb, and played college football at Ohio State. He joined the Browns on waivers from the Seahawks on Feb. 6, after appearing in eight games as a rookie with Seattle last season.

"When obstacles arise, you change your direction to reach your goal, you do not change your decision to get there" Powell tweeted after receiving the news.

Powell still planned to support a Buckeyes group event and throw out the first pitch at the game, an Indians team official said.

Kerr's shot

The NBA playoffs have been a no-doubter, with the Golden State Warriors rolling through all comers and getting mentioned as the greatest team of all-time.

That's where the Warriors have found the most resistance. Seemingly every former NBA dynasty team now thinks it could topple this Warriors.

Richard Hamilton thinks his 2004 Detroit Pistons could beat them. Magic Johnson thinks his Los Angeles Lakers would sweep them. And Raja Bell, who never even played for the Lakers, thinks the 2001 Lakers of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal would give Golden State fits.

Warriors Coach Steve Kerr on Friday finally had enough, and he had his tongue firmly planted in his cheek.

"They're all right. They would all kill us. The game gets worse as time goes on," Kerr said. "Players are less talented than they used to be. The guys in the 50s would've destroyed everybody. It's weird how human evolution goes in reverse in sports. Players get weaker, smaller, less skilled. I don't know. I can't explain it."

SPORTS TRIVIA

How many 1,000-yard rushing seasons has DeAngelo Williams accumulated in the NFL?

ANSWER

Two. 2008 (1,515 yards) and 2009 (1,117 yards) with Carolina

Sports on 06/10/2017

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