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WRESTLING MEDIA ADVISORY: World Champion freestyle wrestler Stephen Neal to start for New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville
No. 61 of the New England Patriots already owns two Super Bowl rings. There is something else in his trophy case that none of his teammates, or any other player in the NFL, has to show off.
Stephen Neal was a 1999 World Champion in freestyle wrestling, and was named the FILA International Freestyle Wrestler of the Year. Stephen Neal was the absolute best in the entire world at an Olympic sport.
He now makes a living as a starting offensive lineman for the Patriots, protecting Tom Brady from the pass rush, and opening running lanes for Corey Dillon. The amazing thing is that Stephen Neal did not play a single down of football in college, as he was concentrating on becoming a two-time NCAA wrestling champion for Cal State-Bakersfield. His football career came much later, after he already achieved the ultimate level of success in freestyle wrestling.
The fact that Neal will be playing at right guard for the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville, Fla. is one of the most amazing stories in the sports world today, and a tremendous testament to his athletic ability, work ethic and determination to be a champion.
Neal played football at San Diego High School in California, but it was in wrestling where he truly excelled. He won a Junior National freestyle title, and went to a Div. I wrestling program, coached by TJ Kerr at Cal-State Bakersfield. Although he was just a college sophomore, Neal placed third in the 1996 Olympic Trials in freestyle wrestling, a sign of things to come in his career.
After winning two NCAA titles for the Roadrunners, and winning the Dan Hodge Trophy as the nation’s top college wrestler, Neal turned his effort towards international freestyle wrestling. The 1999 year proved to be amazing for him. He won the U.S. Nationals championship at his weight class (130 kg/286 lbs.), then earned a spot on the U.S. World Team with a win at the World Team Trials. He followed up with a gold medal at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada.
At the 1999 World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling, held in Ankara, Turkey, Neal had one of the most memorable performances in recent U.S. wrestling history.
Neal won five matches on the way to the gold medal. He opened with an amazing 5 second pin of Frans Vanden Heever of South Africa. He then defeated Symionidos of Greece by technical fall, 13-2, and stopped talented Aydin Polatci of Turkey, 10-6. His semifinal win was over Recep Ashabaliyev of Azerbaijan, 7-2.
In the gold-medal finals, he met World silver medalist, and 1996 Olympic fourth-place finisher Andrei Shumilin of Russia. Neal fell behind 2-0 early, but came back to stop the three-time World medalist, 4-3. He had reached the highest level of achievement in his sport.
Neal was internationally feared for his “freight-train double leg” takedown, a wrestling move similar to a football tackle. His speed and explosion on that move was impressive. For an athlete of his size, Neal has the technique and the ability to move quickly, just like a lighter athlete.
At the 2000 Olympic Trials and 2001 World Team Trials, he lost in the finals to a talented Kerry McCoy and was No. 2 in the USA. He did not get his shot at the Olympics, or another chance to win a World Title. After the 2001 Trials, through a contact set up by fellow Olympic medalist wrestler Matt Ghaffari, Neal got a football tryout. He did so well, that he ended up in training camp and on the practice squad of the New England Patriots. The rest of the amazing story can be told by the NFL.
Neal was a member of the Patriots for both Super Bowl title runs, but was not on the active roster for either Super Bowl game. This time, Neal is in the starting lineup, a key member of the offensive line that has led the team to the Super Bowl and a chance to defend their championship.
For information and media assistance on his football career, contact the New England Patriots Media Relations staff at 508-384-9105.
For information and media assistance on his wrestling career, contact Gary Abbott of USA Wrestling at 719-598-8181, ext. 641, or via cell phone at 719-659-9637.
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