While donning his patented white Mink coat and alligator-skin boots, Trick Williams has blossomed into a WWE star on SmackDown.
Williams, who held the NXT and TNA championships before being promoted to the WWE main roster, has quickly gained a cult following.
His flashy entrance — packaged with “Whoop That Trick” chants echoing throughout arenas — impressive microphone work, and hulking physique have made him an instant star on SmackDown.
Shortly before he cracked the main roster, the New York Jets reached out to see if he’d be interested in an NFL comeback instead.
Trick Williams, whose real name is Matrick Belton, tried out at the Philadelphia Eagles‘ rookie minicamp in 2018. He did not get a training camp invite, but he used the opportunity to launch his massive wrestling career.
WWE Star Turned Down New York Jets Offer
While speaking on The Mack Down Report, Williams revealed that he actually had a chance to return to the NFL after already joining WWE—but made a life-changing decision to pursue wrestling further. He recalled that the moment happened early in his NXT run, during the filming of a vignette with Carmelo Hayes, when he suddenly got an unexpected call.
“I never told this story before. It’s crazy. While at NXT, we were filming a barbershop vignette with myself and Carmelo Hayes. This is like 2021, maybe 2022—early on.”
“At this point, I’m probably like three years out of football. And right before we shoot this vignette, the New York Jets call me. Like, ‘Hey man. I’m not sure if you remember me, I scouted you back then—we were this, we were that—I was just seeing how you’re doing. Seeing how everything is working.’ I’m like, ‘Uh, excuse me, I’m in the middle of something—got to go.’”
Despite the massive risk associated with turning down an NFL offer, it worked out beautifully for Williams.
The SmackDown superstar will make his WrestleMania debut this weekend in Las Vegas. His United States title match against Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 42 also represents his first championship bout since being promoted to the main roster.
While he likely wouldn’t have achieved NFL stardom, Williams has achieved superstar status in a hurry in WWE. And, his odds of holding championship gold are much higher as a wrestler than as a New York Jet.
With him now following in the footsteps of The Rock, Williams has seemingly put his football career to rest.
Trick Williams Will Compete at WrestleMania 42
WrestleMania 42 will invade Las Vegas this weekend for a two-night event at Allegiant Stadium. WWE legend John Cena will host the event.
On Night 2, Trick Williams will compete in one of five championship matches on the card. Competing against Sami Zayn in a singles match, Williams looks to earn his first United States championship.
Williams projects to be accompanied by award-winning rapper Lil Yachty, who has appeared alongside Williams on SmackDown, for a special entrance.
WrestleMania 42 begins on April 18 and streams live on ESPN and Netflix. The WWE Hall of Fame 2026 ceremony, headlined by AJ Styles and Dennis Rodman, will be held on April 16 in Las Vegas.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Trick Williams Rejected NFL Comeback Offer After Joining WWE appeared first on Heavy Sports.