The Call That Didn’t Change Everything: Why Trick Williams Rejected an NFL Return for WWE

In the high-stakes world of professional athletics, the “what if” is often the loudest voice in the room. For most, a phone call from an NFL scout is the culmination of a lifetime of grit, sweat, and sacrifice. For Matrick Mondre Belton—known to millions of wrestling fans as Trick Williams—it was a distraction during a filming session.

Williams recently revealed the moment he officially closed the door on his football aspirations to fully embrace his identity as a WWE Superstar. The decision didn’t happen in a boardroom or after a long period of soul-searching; it happened in the middle of a barbershop vignette in NXT, around 2021 or 2022, while filming a segment with Carmelo Hayes.

As Williams describes it, the timing could not have been more surreal. While preparing to shoot a scene that would help build his persona in WWE’s developmental system, his phone rang. On the other end was a scout from the New York Jets, a man who had evaluated Williams during his collegiate football days and was checking to see if the athlete was interested in a comeback.

The response was immediate and devoid of hesitation. “Uh, excuse me, I’m in the middle of something—got to go,” Williams told the scout. In that brief exchange, the path was set. Trick Williams rejected an NFL return, choosing the squared circle over the gridiron.

The Athlete’s Pivot: From Keenan High to the Performance Center

To understand why a professional athlete would brush off a call from one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, one has to look at the foundation Belton built long before he ever stepped into a ring. Born on May 26, 1994, in Columbia, South Carolina, Belton was a natural athlete from a young age.

His football pedigree was established early at Keenan High School. By his senior year in 2012, he had turn into a dominant force on the field, accumulating 1,157 yards and scoring nine touchdowns. That success carried him into college football, where he continued to hone the physicality and discipline that would later define his wrestling style.

However, the transition to professional wrestling wasn’t an overnight jump. Belton began his journey in 2018, training in Philadelphia under the guidance of his uncle. During this formative period, he competed under the ring name “Sweet Daddy Trick,” learning the nuances of the industry before catching the eye of WWE scouts.

By February 2021, Belton signed a developmental contract with WWE. He made his official debut in September of that year, adopting the Trick Williams moniker. For many athletes transitioning between sports, there is a period of doubt—a lingering feeling that the original dream is still attainable. But for Williams, the shift in mindset was absolute.

“I was so far gone, man. I’m a superstar now,” Williams explained during an appearance on The Mack Down Report. While he maintains a deep respect for the game of football and the coaches and peers he played with over a 20-year span, he found a deeper calling in the intersection of athletics and entertainment.

A Historic Ascent: Dominance in NXT and Beyond

The decision to stay in WWE paid immediate dividends. Williams didn’t just occupy space on the roster; he became one of the most decorated athletes in the history of the NXT brand. His rise was characterized by a blend of charisma and raw power, leading him to capture the NXT Championship twice and the NXT North American Championship once.

His resilience was further proven in 2023, when he emerged as the winner of the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge, cementing his status as a cornerstone of the brand. But the most striking chapter of his career to date has been his ability to transcend the boundaries of a single promotion.

In May 2025, Williams achieved a milestone that shifted the landscape of professional wrestling partnerships. He won the TNA World Championship, becoming the first wrestler under a WWE contract to hold a TNA title. This crossover victory not only added a world championship to his resume but also highlighted the unique leverage and appeal Williams possesses as a global performer.

Now a fixture on the WWE SmackDown brand, Williams has evolved from a developmental prospect into a legitimate main-event threat. His journey serves as a case study in the “athlete-entertainer” archetype—someone who possesses the physical tools of a pro football player but the psychological timing of a seasoned performer.

The Road to WrestleMania 42

The momentum from his TNA success and his SmackDown tenure is now converging on one of the biggest stages in sports entertainment. Williams is currently preparing for a high-stakes encounter at WrestleMania 42, scheduled for April 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

He is set to challenge Sami Zayn for the WWE United States Championship. For a man who once considered a return to the NFL, the stakes of a WrestleMania match offer a different kind of adrenaline. The transition from the grass of a football stadium to the bright lights of a stadium show in Las Vegas represents the completion of the gamble he took years ago in that NXT barbershop.

For global readers, Allegiant Stadium is one of the most technologically advanced venues in the world, and the atmosphere for WrestleMania is expected to be electric as Williams looks to add the United States title to his storied collection of championships.

Williams’ story is a reminder that success often requires the courage to say “no” to a good opportunity in order to say “yes” to a great one. The New York Jets offered a return to a familiar glory, but WWE offered the chance to build a legacy from the ground up.

As he prepares for his clash with Sami Zayn on April 19, the football scout’s call is nothing more than a footnote in a career that is rapidly becoming a headline.

Next Checkpoint: Trick Williams challenges Sami Zayn for the WWE United States Championship at WrestleMania 42 on April 19 at Allegiant Stadium.

Do you think Trick Williams made the right call by choosing the ring over the NFL? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.