"I am convinced that wrestling as a sport is extremely beneficial to football and believe that high school coaches would benefit greatly by allowing their players to wrestle and by recruiting wrestlers.

Wrestling helps develop discipline to stay in one's stance.  Wrestlers also generally have good balance, understand leverage and know how to use their hands.  This benefits them in blocking, defending blocks and tackling.  Perhaps the greatest benefit of wrestling is developing mental toughness and physical toughness."

Bob Stoops

Head Football Coach

University of Oklahoma

National Champions 2000, 1985, 1975, 1956, 1955, 1950

"I have never seen a good wrestler turn out to be a bad football player."

Kirk Ferentz

National Coach of the Year

2x Big Ten Coach of the Year

Head Football Coach

University of Iowa

"I would have all of my offensive linemen wrestle if I could."

John Madden, NFL Hall of Fame Coach

Attached below is an extensive list of current and past NFL football players who wrestled, the quotes above, and other quotes from football people who extol the virtues of wrestling and how wrestling can make football players better.

The Apple Valley wrestling program has two former wrestlers who are now playing professional and Division I football.  Trevor Laws was a heavyweight state wrestling champion for Apple Valley.  After being drafted in the 2nd round by the Philadelphia Eagles, Trevor is now a rookie defensive tackle for the Eagles.  At his website -- www.trevor-laws.com -- you can read in the Q&A section about how Apple Valley wrestling helped make him a better football player.  Steve Larson was a 215 pound state wrestling champion for Apple Valley and is now a defensive lineman and wrestler for the Air Force Academy.