With star linebacker Tyler Martinez sidelined, walk-on Gage Goldberg steps into the spotlight, balancing a high-stakes defensive role against the Red Raiders with his own professional wrestling ambitions.
The son of WWE wrestling legend Goldberg is about to see more playing time for the Colorado Buffaloes.
Gage Goldberg, a linebacker for Deion Sanders' team, will be the "next man up" for the Buffs as they take on No. 12 Texas Tech this week. The walk-on from Boerne Champion high school in Texas has worked his way up and is ready to turn heads. Starting linebacker Tyler Martinez underwent surgery because of a leg injury and is likely out for the rest of the season.
This puts Goldberg higher up in the rotation and likely to start soon.
Goldberg's father, Bill, is one of the best professional wrestlers in WWE history. The Hall of Famer also had an NFL career before switching over to WCW before WWE. Goldberg is a former defensive tackle and teammate of Sanders with the Atlanta Falcons who can often be found in the stands cheering on his son.
However, Gage might be trying to follow in his father's footsteps outside football. He recently explained to CU's Mark Johnson about the steps to becoming a pro wrestler. Gage has already made his debut in the ring a few different times with his dad. But taking on a wrestling career in his own way could be happening soon.
Ironically, he wouldn't be the first former Buffs player in the WWE. Leon White, known in the ring as Big Van Vader, thrilled wrestling fans in the 80s and 90s. He was a two-time All-American for the Buffs and was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round (80th overall). During his second season in the NFL, White played in Super Bowl XIV against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but fell short of a ring after the Rams fell 31-19. After a few years in the NFL, White retired due to a knee injury and started his wrestling career in Japan.
“Once I started getting involved a little bit, then it started to change,” Gage Goldberg told Johnson this week. “It’s up to me. So, I mean, I would love to do it. Honestly, I would love to have that opportunity to do it, and I feel like it would be a great thing to do after football.”
For now, Goldberg is ready to make a statement out on the gridiron with Martinez out.
Colorado hosts No. 12 Texas Tech on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, FOX).
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