Teddy Riner turned down an opportunity to play American football

The Frenchman was attending the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints, held at the Stade de France as part of the 2026 NFL Paris Games. He shared the story in an interview with France Télévisions.

The 37-year-old from Guadeloupe turned down the offer, however. His explanation is simple: when you've devoted yourself entirely to one sport for years, there's no room left to explore another. Riner admitted he loves American football… but only when he's comfortably settled in front of his TV.

It's easy to see why he caught people's attention. Standing over two meters tall, with surprising explosiveness for a heavyweight and the ability to absorb contact, he possesses several qualities sought after in a lineman.

American football isn't the first sport to catch his eye. The UFC had already tried to lure him into the octagon with an offer rumored to be around 15 million euros. Riner said no. He didn't want to stray from judo and didn't identify with certain values associated with mixed martial arts.

His focus remains on one final major challenge: the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. An individual Olympic champion in London in 2012, Rio in 2016, and Paris in 2024, he will attempt to become the first judoka to win a fourth individual title.

He already has five Olympic gold medals—including two from mixed-team events—as well as two bronze medals. American football will therefore have to settle for having him as a fan.

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