Stephen Neal a "force to be reckoned with"

STEPHEN NEAL in his wrestling prime

February 19, 2010

College Wrestling Examiner Mark Palmer

It's been nearly a decade since New England Patriots guard Stephen Neal stepped onto a wrestling mat. Yet, according to his agent, the two-time NCAA Division I heavyweight champ is entertaining the idea of returning to wrestling... or entering MMA (mixed martial arts) competition.

The 33-year-old Neal is up for free agency as of March 5, and is considering all his options, other than retirement (an idea he had entertained with the media after the Pats' playoff loss on January 10). Including a possible return to a personal combat sport, whether it's freestyle wrestling, or MMA, Neal's agent, Neil Cornrich, told Tom Curran of CSNNE.com.

"He's excited to continue in the NFL and perhaps after that take a chance at the UFC," said Cornrich. "Getting back involved in Olympic-style wrestling is definitely a consideration."

The mere mention of Neal back on the mat -- or in the Octagon -- has wrestling and MMA fans salivating.

Stephen Neal's amateur wrestling credentials are impressive by any measure. The San Diego native was a two-time NCAA Division I heavyweight champ for Cal State Bakersfield, trouncing Iowa State's Trent Hynek in the finals at the 1998 NCAAs... then edging Brock Lesnar of Minnesota in the title bout at the 1999 NCAAs. He was a four-time NCAA All-American, and earned the Hodge Trophy as the best collegiate wrestler his senior year.

Neal made a name for himself in freestyle wrestling, too, upsetting Russian veteran Andrei Shumilin to win the 1999 World freestyle championship only a few months after beating Lesnar for the college crown.

In his wrestling prime, the 6'4" Neal tipped the scales at 265-285 pounds of solid muscle. For a big man, he was incredibly agile and fast on his feet. (In high school, Neal participated in a variety of sports beyond football and wrestling, including track and swimming... so he is a versatile athlete.) It was that athleticism that ultimately convinced the New England Patriots to give Neal a try in 2001, despite his not having played football in college.

"He's been with the Patriots his entire career and would like nothing better than to finish his career with another Super Bowl win in New England," Neal's agent Neil Cornrich said in the CSNNE.com interview. "He's very appreciative of the opportunity the Patriots have given him and how they helped him in his transformation from wrestler to professional football player."

It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming weeks. All this discussion may simply be a means for Stephen Matthew Neal to keep all his options open... to provide an escape clause of sorts if his NFL career is truly over.

For football fans, the notion of Neal going into wrestling or MMA may seem far-fetched. After all, the Patriot would have to drop down from his reported 305 pounds to his old "fighting weight" to be able to compete either in freestyle or MMA.

However, for fans of amateur wrestling and MMA, the idea of Stephen Neal stepping back onto the mat is an exciting prospect. Other former wrestlers and football players have competed in MMA competition well into their 40s. (Randy Couture and Mark Coleman immediately come to mind.) It's not uncommon for wrestlers of Neal's age to continue to win international titles.

No less an authority than Brock Lesnar addressed the issue in an interview in 2008.

"He could become something great," Lesnar said. "If he ever tried [UFC] and could make weight, I'd have to say he could be a force to be reckoned with."

Todd Boeckman named one of Ohio's Top Athletes of the Decade

Ohio’s Top 50 Athletes of the Decade: No. 22 Todd Boeckman

By Eric Frantz

February 25, 2010

Today we continue the countdown of JJHuddle’s “Top 50 Ohio High School Athletes of the Decade” for 1999-2009. Every Monday through Friday from now until March 26, a new athlete will be released.

Today’s entry led his team to the state final in three sports…

22. Todd Boeckman, St. Henry, Football, Basketball and Baseball, 1999-2003: Some might be surprised at Boeckman’s rank here, but his resume speaks for itself. Boeckman earned 11 varsity letters at St. Henry and led the Redskins to a state final in every sport (and two state titles). As a freshman QB he guided St. Henry to a runner-up finish in D-V. That same school year the Redskins – with Boeckman as sixth man – were runner-up in boys basketball in D-IV. That spring the Redskins won the D-IV state baseball title. St. Henry also won the D-IV state baseball title in Boeckman’s senior year.

Individually, Boeckman’s name appears among the leaders in multiple state records and sports.

In football Boeckman ranks No. 15 in career passing yards (7,021 yards, 1999-2002) and No. 18 in career passing TDs (64, 1999-2002).

In baseball Boeckman is tied for No. 2 in Ohio history for most RBIs in a season (66 in 2003). Since his performance no one else has hit more than 56. He’s also tied for No. 3 for HRs in a season (18 in 2003), tied for No. 3 with HRs in five straight games (2003), tied for No. 4 in HRs for a career (40 from 2000-2003) and No. 12 for most RBIs in a career (140 (00-03). On the mound Boeckman is tied for No. 8 in most consecutive wins (19, 2001-03).

The 2003 St. Henry team (Boeckman’s senior year) ranks No. 3 all-time in Ohio for hits in a season (389).

In basketball Boeckman ended his career No. 9 on St. Henry’s career scoring list with over 1,000 points. He led the Redskins in scoring and rebounding his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.

Boeckman earned All-Ohio honors (a total of seven times) in all three sports.

Could Stephen Neal Be the Man To Tame UFC Beast Brock Lesnar?

By Robert Gardner

February 25th, 2010

Even though the UFC heavyweight division is rapidly evolving into the most exciting and interesting division in the sport today, I still have a hard time picturing any of the current contenders being able to rip the title from Brock Lesnar’s massive meat mitts.

It’s not that this current crop of contenders lack the skill or the drive; I just don’t see any of them having the tools to compete with Lesnar’s combination of freakish athletic ability and elite wrestling pedigree.

However, recently one name has emerged that I feel could be just the man for the job—Stephen Neal.

That’s right, current NFL free agent guard and three-time Super Bowl champion Stephen Neal.

Neal’s agent, Neil Cornrich, has stated that the former New England Patriot guard has been contemplating a return to amateur wrestling or perhaps even trying his hand at MMA.

“He’s excited to continue in the NFL and perhaps after that take a chance at the UFC,” Cornrich told CSNNE.com’s Tom E. Curran.

Now before you scoff at the idea of Neal entering MMA, remember that he is a former four-time All-American and two-time Division I National Champion wrestler from Cal State Bakersfield. The wrestling accolades don’t stop there, either; following his collegiate career, Neal went on to win the US Freestyle Championship, the Pan-American games title, and the World Championships.

It was not until after narrowly missing an opportunity to compete at the 2000 Sydney Olympics that Neal transitioned into the NFL—unlike Lesnar, Neal flourished with his transition.

Why do I think Neal could find success within the confines of MMA?

First, his wrestling pedigree is undeniable. Neal not only has a better amateur resume than Lesnar, but he also defeated the current UFC heavyweight champion to win his second national title.

Second, Neal has the athleticism and physical gifts to rival that of anyone currently competing in MMA.

Playing in the NFL is no small feat, and when you take into consideration that Neal was able to do so without ever playing a down of football in college, it’s just incredible. That achievement alone not only speaks to Neal’s athletic ability but also his work ethic.

The final reason Neal would find success in MMA is tied directly to the position that he played in the NFL, offensive guard.

Guards, for those who are unfamiliar with football, play in the trenches—an extremely physical and violent world. The goal of a guard is dominate and impose your will of the man lined up across from you, just like in the Octagon.

I have little doubt that if Neal were to make his way to MMA, he would become a force to be reckoned with.