During an appearance on WINCLY, former Olympic Gold Medalist Rulon Gardner gave insight on why he never joined the WWE. Here’s what he had to say:
I was offered an opportunity, but I was so busy after winning the gold medal to look at it if I was genuinely interested. In 2004, they flew me to Arizona,” he recalled. “I went down there and toured and talked to Vince [McMahon] and everyone. I did a little work with the team representing WWE. It was awesome. Those guys were great. It looked like such a great opportunity.
I thought I needed to ask my team, my family, my mom. I said, ‘Mom, what do you think?’ She said, ‘You’ve spent your whole life benign a good example and role model to kids. Is this an example you want to set from here on out?’ Part of me thought my mom was telling the truth. I think it’s good to have those people in your life.
My mom is kind of like my backbone and foundation in life. I would never want to disrespect or make her feel like I didn’t reach my potential. When I left for college I was taught to keep your head on the ground and your head out of the clouds. Remember who you are and where you’re from.
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Credit: WrestlingInc.