Elite XC to Feature Former NFL All-Pro

by Kid Nate on Apr 28, 2008 6:35 PM EDT in MMA News

So when I read this on 5oz of Pain I was pretty stoked:

A battle of former NFL players is in the works for the undercard of EliteXC's debut show on CBS on Saturday, May 31 in Newark, N.J.

Multiple sources have revealed exclusively to FiveOuncesOfPain.com (www.FiveOuncesOfPain.com) that event organizers are currently trying to line up an opponent for a proposed match involving former Steelers and Jets All-Pro offensive tackle Carlton Haselrig.

Haselrig, whose football career was cut short due to injuries and off-the-field issues, made his professional MMA debut on April 10 during a Battle Cage Xtreme show in Atlantic City, N.J. The former college wrestling standout recorded a first round TKO over former IFL heavyweight fighter Shane Ott in what was billed as the evening's main event.

Not having paid attention to the NFL since Troy Aikman was playing ball I didn't remember much about Haselrig except that he was good back in the day, so I wonder over to Wikipedia:

Carlton Haselrig (born January 22, 1966) is a former heavyweight wrestler for NCAA Division II University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. He holds the distinction of being the only person to win 6 NCAA titles in wrestling, winning 3 times in Division II and 3 times in NCAA Division I. Haselrig was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

After a brief run on the international level, Haselrig turned his attention to pro football, and despite never having played in college, in his third NFL season became an All Pro offensive guard with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In April 1993, Carlton checked into the Betty Ford Clinic as part of his sentence after a DUI conviction. That fall, he was suspended by the NFL for violating its drug policy by testing positive for cocaine. In '94, he had several stints in rehab and disappeared for days at a time, at one point leaving Steelers camp. He ended up on the injured/left camp list and had to sit out the season.

After several arrests and more trips to rehab, Haselrig signed with the New York Jets and played part of the '95 season before he was suspended by the NFL for violating the league's drug policy. He disappeared again.

The downward spiral continued until March 1997, when he was sentenced to 6 to 23 months in prison for violating his probation. He had been arrested for riding a motorcycle through Johnstown intoxicated and wearing his helmet backward.

Wow, so the guy is old, broken down and at best a recovering drug addict. Sorry, Johnny Morton broke my heart. What was it the President said, "fool me once shame on me, fool me twice....won't get fooled again" or something like that.

On the bright side, maybe if Haselrig wins a couple he can be fed to Kimbo.

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Re: Elite XC to Feature Former NFL All-Pro

"Not having paid attention to the NFL since Troy Aikman was playing ball"

Did you have an unnatural attraction to the man? I mean, I don't mean to be bias, but I am so deal with it. I hate the cowboy and now you by proxy. Its in my blood.

by szucconi on Apr 28, 2008 6:41 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Elite XC to Feature Former NFL All-Pro

ha! actually I grew up hating the cowboys but when they fired tom landry and all the idiots in dallas turned on them, i started following the team just to be contrary. and that team johnson put together was something else -- aikman, irvin, emmett smith -- i really dug watching that team grow and win the superbowls, then when i found myself falling asleep during every game, I cut out the middle man and now just enjoy a sunday afternoon nap.

by Kid Nate on Apr 28, 2008 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Elite XC to Feature Former NFL All-Pro

I believe Bush said:

"Fool me once, shame on me....fool me twice...if you fool me once you can't fool me again"

It was in reference to the actions of Saddam Hussein.

by Luke Thomas on Apr 28, 2008 7:03 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Elite XC to Feature Former NFL All-Pro

No he definitely had the "won't be fooled again" Who reference in there.

by Kid Nate on Apr 28, 2008 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Elite XC to Feature Former NFL All-Pro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKgPY1adc0A

"...fool me once, shame on... shame on you. Efoome, you can't get fooled again"

by mythbuster on Apr 28, 2008 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Elite XC to Feature Former NFL All-Pro

Wow, they are going full freakshow route. Kimbo, Carano, and now NFL players.

by Michael Rome on Apr 28, 2008 7:39 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Elite XC to Feature Former NFL All-Pro

How'd Carano a freakshow? Because she's one of the few successful female mma fighters? Because she's on Gladiators?

No argument on Kimbo and the NFL thing though.

I have to say, I think a fight with Haselrig would do a lot to verify/dispell the rumours about Kimbo's ground game. he's got some serious credentials, even if they're 10+ years past.

by aej on Apr 28, 2008 7:49 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Elite XC to Feature Former NFL All-Pro

She's a freak-show because she vacillates between hot and sexy and "Please, if you love yourself, you'll let go of that cheeseburger!" Not healthy, Gina! Take better care of yourself!

Also: since she's too big to fight against any of the real women competitors who fight at 135, she has her own weight class: 140 - CaranoWeight. That's kinda bullshit.

-- Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ

by jemaleddin on Apr 28, 2008 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Elite XC to Feature Former NFL All-Pro

Kaitlin Young will expose her.

by DirtyML on Apr 28, 2008 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Elite XC to Feature Former NFL All-Pro

It would be hard to overstate how much bigger she is than most of the women she faces - Young has a chance though.

-- Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ

by jemaleddin on Apr 29, 2008 6:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Elite XC to Feature Former NFL All-Pro

"she vacillates between hot and sexy and "Please, if you love yourself, you'll let go of that cheeseburger!" Not healthy, Gina! Take better care of yourself!"

I guess that is a bit unusual for a professional fighter, but that oscillation sounds pretty standard for the majority of normal women......

by aej on Apr 29, 2008 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions