The San Francisco 49ers, no strangers to the thrill of Super Bowl contention, have seen their journey to ultimate victory filled with near misses. Despite formidable efforts in recent years, their quest for the Lombardi Trophy has remained unfulfilled. However, in the 2023 season, guided by cost-effective quarterback Brock Purdy, the 49ers showcased their dominance once again.
After smashing the Detroit Lions in the divisional round, the 49ers advanced to Super Bowl LVIII. Surprisingly, WWE superstar Roman Reigns predicted several months ago that the 2023 season would finally be the year the 49ers got over the top to advance to the Super Bowl final.
Roman Reigns accurately predicted Super Bowl contenders months ago
Roman Reigns made waves on his former appearance on ESPN’s First Take by boldly declaring the 49ers as the Super Bowl contenders. He has recently hit the headlines, as his prediction turned out to be true. In an interview alongside sports commentator Stephen A. Smith, the WWE star confidently placed his beloved 49ers at the top of his list of Super Bowl contenders due to their formidable defense.
The veteran highlighted the importance of stopping the run and putting opposing offenses in difficult third-down situations. Despite acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position, he expressed confidence in the team’s overall talent and predicted a successful season.
“49ers all the way. It starts with the defense. If you can stop the run, you put the offense in a long third-down situation, and that’s a formula for success every single time. The defense is always there, we run the ball, we have weapons, it’s really just about figuring out the quarterback position, but we have a lot of talent there. I’m really expecting huge things — Super Bowl. Flirting with it for a while now, and I think this is the year”, he said via SportsKeeda.
Roman Reigns also ranked the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, in the second spot on his list. Surprisingly, it also turned out to be true, as the Chiefs smashed the Baltimore Ravens to advance to the finale. The Philadelphia Eagles claimed the third position in Reigns’ Super Bowl contenders, followed by the Cincinnati Bengals at fourth and the Buffalo Bills rounding out the top five.
Roman Reigns’ NFL career
Roman Reigns initially pursued a career in football before stepping into the squared circle. He showcased his athletic prowess during his time at Georgia Tech, where he served as a three-year starter.
Despite his collegiate success, the veteran faced challenges transitioning to the NFL. Following the 2007 draft, he went undrafted but earned a spot with the Minnesota Vikings. However, his NFL dreams were put on hold when he was diagnosed with leukemia after a team physical, leading to his release from the Vikings.
The ex-NFL star continued to pursue his football ambitions by briefly joining the Jacksonville Jaguars. He later found a place with the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 2008. During his tenure with the Eskimos, he made notable contributions on the field, including a standout performance against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Reigns later decided to retire from professional football after his season with the Eskimos. However, this marked the beginning of a new chapter as he transitioned to the world of professional wrestling.
