Brock Lesnar’s Insane NFL Combine Workout Stunned Vikings Coaches and Players Alike

Before the Suplexes: Brock Lesnar’s Brief but Wild NFL Journey

Long before he ended The Undertaker’s legendary WrestleMania streak or captured UFC gold, Brock Lesnar had his sights set on the NFL.

Growing up on a dairy farm in South Dakota, Lesnar was a standout athlete from a young age. He played high school football while also making a name for himself as a heavyweight wrestler, finishing third in the state during his senior year. Eventually, he chose to focus on wrestling, which led him to Bismarck State College and then a scholarship at the University of Minnesota, where he became NCAA heavyweight champion in 2000.

Soon after, Lesnar signed with WWE, quickly rising through the ranks. With Paul Heyman as his advocate, he stormed onto the scene, winning the King of the Ring in 2002 and defeating The Rock at SummerSlam to become the youngest WWE Champion at age 25. His early run included high-profile bouts with The Undertaker, Big Show, and a controversial WrestleMania XX match against Goldberg, which marked his WWE departure in 2004 amid burnout and frustration.

Rather than jump to another wrestling promotion, Lesnar shocked the sports world by pursuing professional football. WWE publicly acknowledged his departure, and Lesnar insisted it wasn’t a stunt — it was a personal challenge.

He backed it up at the 2004 NFL combine, putting up jaw-dropping numbers for someone weighing 283 pounds:

• 4.7-second 40-yard dash
• 35-inch vertical jump
• 30 bench press reps (225 lbs)

Impressed by his raw athleticism, several teams showed interest. Lesnar ultimately signed with the Minnesota Vikings in July and saw action during the preseason as a defensive tackle.

“This is no WWE act. I’m serious about this,” Lesnar said at the time. “I’m not scared of anyone — I’ve been an underdog in sports since I was five.”

Though his NFL career was short-lived, it wasn’t without memorable moments. The Vikings offered him a spot in NFL Europa, but Lesnar declined to stay closer to his family.

Before being released in August, he made a lasting impression — including an infamous practice field brawl. Former Vikings receiver Nate Burleson later recalled Lesnar suplexing a Kansas City Chiefs player in retaliation for a late hit on quarterback Daunte Culpepper.

“It turned into a full-on Royal Rumble,” Burleson said. “He picked a guy up after the play. That’s just the kind of intensity he brought.”

Lesnar’s NFL chapter was brief but unforgettable — a testament to his raw power, unshakable confidence, and relentless competitive drive.