Could Sumo Wrestlers make it as offensive linemen in the NFL? Jason and Travis debate

Jason and Travis react to the video of Cowboys LB Micah Parsons taking on a Sumo wrestler on his trip to Tokyo. The guys then get into how much the skills of Sumo wrestling transfer to the NFL and vice versa.
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[@the_hispawaiian8156]

That sumo wrestler was 17 years old

[@dr.johndoe1603]

Wasn’t going 100% Parsons wasn’t wearing the same uniform Change those two things that he would never win

[@3lastname390]

​@@dr.johndoe1603That 17 yr old rookie wasn't going 💯 either. Micah actually went against that stable Champion...Micah had no chance.

[@dr.johndoe1603]

@@3lastname390 I totally agree with everything you just said I believe you were reading my comment wrong Go Eagles !!! #215TillTheDayIDie

[@3lastname390]

@@dr.johndoe1603 Ah, I see it now. My bad

[@dr.johndoe1603]

@@3lastname390 All good

[@seffishestopal5950]

Micah Parsons vs a sumo wrestler is the gift that we never knew was needed.

[@808bboarder]

Yeah Sumo guys are no joke. Akebono Taro is from my hometown. Dude is a legend

[@skidawg22]

RIP Akebono. Passed away recently. First non-Japanese sumo wrestler to reach Yokozuna.

[@808bboarder]

@@skidawg22 Yes RIP. My community went into the ocean to send off some Leis in his honor. In Waimanalo we have a statue of him and everyone always leaves flowers next to it now that he’s moved on. Very proud of him though I’ve never met him at all. He was a heart of the community even while he was in Japan 🙏

[@Dbbehsuzysgx]

@@808bboarderBecause even though he was a warrior, you could just tell that he was a nice guy and wouldn’t hurt a soul for no reason

[@jacksfacts20]

So as a super fan of sumo wrestling, what was happening with micha wasn’t a real match, it was something called chest pushing where you shove the guy from one side of the ring to another like the sled in football. They weren’t doing any sort actual match, Micha was just trying to get some kind of leverage agaisnt him.

[@zdr7420]

That's what I've been telling everybody. And chest lending is usually done with higher ranked rikishi lending their chests for lower ranked rikishi, they literally do this every day with relative ease. This is exactly why Micah was basically stonewalled when going up against Wakamotoharu

[@witpleasure2981]

Glad this comment is here, my immediate thought as well.

[@JasonJia909]

These guys are also crazy crazy flexible. The top tier sumos (the one in this vid is 17 years old) def all had a shot at playing in the NFL, but they grew up in a place where American football is just not an option or consideration

[@rob6362]

That’s a 17 year old sumo wrestler. Also parsons grabbed his belt while the sumo didn’t have anything to grab in reverse. A top tier sumo wrestler would have a great shot of being a nfl guard

[@joemckim1183]

I think a top sumo wrestler could play any Offensive Line position they wanted to except Center. And that is only because them having to snap the ball.

[@WillWilliams-vo4nk]

​​@@joemckim1183So you think they wouldn't be able to play C bc of snapping the ball but think they could play LT which is much harder and requires more skill?

[@certifiedchaos4643]

Yeap if they trained for 12-18 months 🔥🔥🔥

[@RonnieEverette]

People always think someone who never played football before can come in and play football based off a clip they see on KZbin 😂😂😂 How'd Usain Bolt do trying to play WR? Terribly that's how.. He couldn't get open despite being the fastest man on earth..

[@svenskhund3603]

​@@WillWilliams-vo4nk Guard is not harder to play than center lol. The center has the most important job on the o line. He not only snaps the ball, but he's also in charge of assigning blocks to other linemen. A guard may have to peel off the line once in a while for a run play but besides that, the center is most certainly the hardest position on the offensive line.

[@insertname5371]

The biggest issue would be teaching them not to hold otherwise they probably have some of the highest crossover of skills and body type of any sport

[@ckmoore101]

Problem, not allowing holding is a HUGE change to sumo strategy. Honestly, taking that away would hamstring them greatly, to where I don't think sumo background would help them, at least from a technique standpoint. That being said, strength, and just the sharply honed leverage abilities would benefit them. And they are not used to people trying to go around them. I think NFL DE's would zip around them every time.

[@insertname5371]

@@ckmoore101 I think you are underestimating sumo training there are plenty of wrestlers who wrap around. It would be difficult but not that hard

[@ckmoore101]

@@insertname5371 Did you just seriously say it would "not be that hard" for a person that hasn't played American football ever to to play in the NFL? Lol.... And yes, it would be a very safe assumption that a Japanese sumo wrestler has never set foot on a football field.

[@CalvinHavener]

There is a hold every down in the NFL. Its just not called.

[@ckmoore101]

@@CalvinHavener Your point? Missed calls are irrelevant to the fact of the rules.

[@boomerang8909]

1:21 One of the most diplomatic reactions after comparing sports earnings.

[@micahhayes8770]

Colorado Sate has a Sumo wrestler on the team named Hidetora Hanada. He walked on last summer and had 0 starts and 3 tackles. He had previous experience in the X League in Japan. He just awarded a scholarship in Dec.

[@SeanTaylorlover]

They will never fall off

[@jacksfacts20]

There is a college Yokozuna, the highest rank you can get, basically the equivalent to winning NCAA’s in America, that is playing d-line for Colorado state named Hidetora Hanada. it’s an interesting experiment because if he does well you may see A LOT of sumo prospects going to America since you don’t get paid anything like in the nfl in sumo.

[@colleenhardy4554]

You guys crack me up, Thanks

[@user-cs1pi8zg1n]

I've been saying for at least 20 yrs that offensive linemen should train sumo in the off season

[@kermitsippintea7433]

Sumo wrestlers can stop u from getting through them but they can’t stop u from getting around them if your quick enough as a Defensive lineman.

[@strykrpinoy]

Now train them to play as a lineman.....

[@kermitsippintea7433]

@WonderMonkey-xp3xk point is u can’t expect a sumo to show up to the NFL and block everyone like most ppl expect them to knowing defensive linemen won’t just go through you they can get around u

[@kermitsippintea7433]

@@strykrpinoy they’re too fat and slow. To keep a defensive lineman at bay for more than 2-3 seconds

[@kermitsippintea7433]

@WonderMonkey-xp3xk but ur the one replying on my comment so how bout u get lost lol

[@kermitsippintea7433]

@WonderMonkey-xp3xk and u could have chose to ignore it welcome to minding your own business

[@RainRain-bp2nq]

These episodes always get me cracking!😂😂😂

[@JMB72]

I grew up watching Grandmaster Sumo wrestler's in the 80s and 90s . Unbelievable matches. As a long time NFL fan from the 70s, i enjoy the wars in the trenches. Sumo wrestling is like watching two behemoth warriors battling one on one in the trenches. You always wonder about the crossover from Sumo, soccor and rugby. A few have done it. But sumo not so much. The tradition of these athletes makes their journey a lifetime journey of honor and dedication. I haven't watched sumo in a long time, but it's nice to see them get a little run💯💯💪💪.

[@MrVvulf]

Chiyonofuji and Kirishima Kazuhiro were my favorites when I lived in Japan during the early 90s. Muscular guys using strength and technique instead of mass. I don't think there are any wrestlers quite like them active today.

[@jeanjacques9365]

@@MrVvulf well not comparable to Chiyonofuji in success or in muscular build but in the less mass oriented I would say Hoshoryu is the closest active sumotori.

[@ChrisBrown-qf5gh]

You should look up some footage from the 90s. The leading Sumo grand champion for years was a relatively small guy called Terau (the Wolf). He showed so many techniques linemen could use

[@jacksfacts20]

Wrong guy, his name was chiyonofuji, but he was a monster in the 80’s and early 90’s.

[@skidawg22]

@@jacksfacts20 Chiyonofuji, the 58th yokozuna. Passed in 2016 of pancreatic cancer. Weighed 278 lbs per his Wikipedia page.

[@NotTheWheel]

Sumo Wrestlers at the highest level are impossibly strong.

[@AlejandroSanchez-pl6jw]

Sumo wrestlers have a better chance to make it as a lineman than NBA players would in general

[@tokra7776]

Just saw Jason joined Monday Night Countdown....I think he would be great fit on Good Morning Football show

[@ElizabethDewey-si6sh]

The Replacement Players pushing someone around is pass blocking

[@delsrode25]

If you ever watched The Replacements you’d know it has worked! 😂

[@lisamichele4392]

That's the same thing you did Jason Kelse for Philly HELLO ❤💯💄

[@lisamichele4392]

It's amazing how they do that and all they teach you The Mindset is amazing how you can just grab the right way and flip peeps right over it's amazing 💯💄

[@conanbdetective]

I studied Sumo Wrestlers when I was a put as a lineman. They have a lot of techniques that carry over and will surprise people. Blend those gloves with the opponent's uniform and it's hard to call holds

[@Thulgore]

Sumo is an absolute art AND a martial art. A group of linemen that actually trained like, and understood the art..........with guidance and worked with one another...... It's a defensive line that I don't know how you would beat. Sumo learning team tactics might be difficult too though.

[@Dillingham-]

Learn about the great Akebono, born Chad Rowan of Hawaii, first Yokozuna (top rank) not born in Japan. Rest In Peace. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole wrote a great Hawaiian song about him in 1995 (Thunder From Heaven).

[@rjmwa3780]

They actually tried it in the NFL Europe. Guy called Masakazu Goda played C for the Berlin Thunder

[@uahoe]

Of course. Line work is all about leverage and technique

[@matsudafusheng]

Takanohana and Wakanohana were brother's like y'all. Chiyonofuji @ 270lbs was my favorite Yokozuna

[@skidawg22]

Wakanohana did try to play football after retiring from sumo.

[@plurplursen7172]

That sumo wrestler was not even a sekitori. Last years top earner was Takakeisho. I believe with all bonuses and special prices, sponsors, it was about 3.5 M$.

[@dicksonnakatoshi]

Akebono would have been a hall of fame tackle

[@doggieGZ]

we need more sumo-nfl crossover stuff

[@choiyatlam2552]

International player program. Just look at how Aussie Punters dominated the league.

[@Kermit_T_Frog]

Sumo is one hell of a sport. I'd like it in the Olympics MORE than judo.

[@FreedomDefender07]

Mongolians that are trained in their traditional wrestling moves have typically done really well in Sumo because Mongolian wresting has a lot moves that Sumo wrestlers don't traditionally learn. Pretty cool stuff. These NFL players are smart trying to learn tricks of the trade from Sumo wrestlers. There was one Sumo wrestler in Japan named Wakanohana who took up football after retiring from Sumo as a yokozuna (the highest rank) and one thing I remember him saying that was hard for him at first was that in American Football, your opponent doesn't always stay in the same place so you have to readjust quickly. XD

[@Benderstal]

Sumo has tournaments every odd month of the year. For 15 days. Great distraction while footballs not around!

[@kaldrazadrim]

When I went to Japan, in Tokyo, we wanted to go see Sumo but it was sold out. It's so popular

[@jshawney3355]

I imagine the venues fit less ppl than in a football stadium.

[@PLF...]

Lateral quickness is a thing in the NFL though. Sumos can break your bull rush and would be suitable for some situations no doubt - but not enough roster spots for niche linemen.

[@skidawg22]

For those unfamiliar: the highest paid sumo from 2023 made less than $1m (in US dollars). Further, sumo wrestlers live a monk-like communal lifestyle that includes a lot of training; the younger wrestlers cooking a big meal for the entire stable (eating A LOT, especially the chankonabe stew); then taking a nap after the meal; then repeat. There are plenty of KZbin channels devoted to sumo, and Ninh Explains did a full video on whether a sumo wrestler would do well in the NFL (short answer: No - the two sports have completely different skill sets).

[@zdr7420]

The thing is, everyone keeps comparing sumo to O-line play. When in reality, a rikishi would transition better on the D-line. It's what Hidetora Hanada is doing and he just got a scholarship from Colorado State a few months ago I believe to play D-line, just hoping he can actually pull it off. Watching some of his practice footage, he seems to be getting pass rushing techniques down. At the end of the day though, the transition would indeed be immensely difficult

[@skidawg22]

@@zdr7420 Just looked him up. He'll be a senior next season - and, yes, is on the D line. He was an amateur yokozuna, and I think it might be easier to transition from sumo to football while you're still young, as opposed to Wakanohana, who retired as a yokozuna to play pro football in his 30's. Culturally, there's two completely different worlds.

[@dad4ever-c90]

That smelly armpit headlock is a perfect example of an athlete using all of their "gifts" to win. Mark Schlereth, who played Guard on a few Super Bowl winning teams, used to INTENTIONALLY pee in his football uniform during the game, so his opponents had an even more unpleasant experience with him!

[@joec.5009]

ah that's why they called him stink

[@dmac4278]

Quentin Nelson was someone that did martial arts as well as football

[@seffishestopal5950]

That doesn’t surprise me.

[@stevep4236]

Sumos are different level strength

[@2dabornot452]

I always said an nfl snap is like 5v5 sumo match lol

[@DoctorBrueckner]

The first time I saw this, I thought, “Oh, he looks really good against a football player.” Later in the video: Micah Parsons visits Tokyo 😮.

[@ginjjiigok364]

Why not get some sumo centers or guards.

[@WESLEYFMURDOCK]

They Get Treated VERY WELL ! Bathed Free Food ! Get Taken Where Ever They Want !

[@lisamichele4392]

Well the dude with smelly pits knows now😂😂💯💄

[@talljib]

He can still smell it today!? Hahahahah trauma is a hell of a thing😂

[@lisamichele4392]

I bet Jason could do that 😂💯💄

[@kaliboi2475]

Why is he so sweaty 😅 dam

[@akaaumoana]

I love sumo and I grew up playing o-line and I’d say sumo rikishi could play football and they look like they mechanically do the same thing but the goal of both sports are different. Shout out Derbie Camp !

[@Daygostylz]

I’ve always said if I was an offensive lineman I’d go train with Sumos.

[@mmingfeilam]

Vice versa, can an NFL guy make it in Sumo?

[@okay1775]

I think nfl guy has a much better chance.

[@fundamental1020]

That was cool but hope he does not get hurt

[@CustomizedUsername]

The Replacements proved it could be done

[@haidarhakimable]

Sumo wrestlers are so flexible

[@jimbaker5110]

Sumo wrestlers should absolutely try out for offensive lineman

[@MistyMountainVideo]

The movie the Replacements. Just don't feed him eggs before a game.

[@alexkaplan1136]

Because only a crazy son of a bitch would eat eggs before a game!

[@WWAFAWDWG]

LETS GO

[@ocanaldojj]

If he tried that with Hakuho he would look like a kid

[@Corndogg316]

Sumo wrestler would get called for holding every single snap

[@Heat3YT2]

It is interesting to see. They have the body type but maybe the technique doesn’t translate well.

[@mikewilson8998]

1 word for ya....ONDUHSKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[@NOxSPLOOSHxPLANE]

Sumo wrestlers would 100% make great lineman, sumo wrestlers are far more athletic than people think and strong/disciplined

[@kileypaet8221]

Didn’t seem like the Sumo wasn’t trying too hard.

[@briannad4533]

Jason I don’t know if your girls ever watch Go Dog Go but you remind me sometimes of Beans 😂🩷

[@JohnDoe-qu7gm]

Sumo involves a ton of holding onto your opponent. Flag on every play

[@josephgrounds1048]

To be fair, the sumo wrestler wasn't even trying... like at all. Think of it as a leisurely Friday walkthrough before a game-that's the level of effort he was showing.

[@ryu-ken]

They have strength but the issue is arm length. In sumo arm length doesnt matter much. They dont use it. But in football it is everything

[@johnmagill7714]

They average 343,963 yen $2,500 USD per match. Average 2.8 million yen, approximately $20,505.38 USD yearly.

[@joshuawilliams7824]

Whay makes thesr guys great is they don't need guest to be entertaining

[@seffishestopal5950]

But guests make things more entertaining sometimes (Kylie, Chris Jones, etc).

[@jefftaylor1186]

On the surface, sumo wrestlers should be great offensive lineman. Because the only thing a sumo does is move one man from one point to another against his will. And that’s the function of an offensive lineman. But if you notice watching sumo, they do a lot of holding and grabbing. So they’d have to find a way around not doing that.

[@-LAH]

Many of the sumos are too fat and immobile but I think guys like Chiyonofuji Mitsugi or Asashoryu Davagdorj would be fantastic. They're a little smaller, a little more compact but you can tell, even in pictures they have unworldly strength.

[@DeepRest420]

I think the biggest issue is size. i feel like a Japanese person born large enough to even be considered would be quite the rare specimen. I'm not saying there can't be a Yao Ming type Japanese guy out there but they are certainly a rarity.

[@Kudeghraw]

It should be worth finding out. I mean the NFL has given Rugby players tryouts in the NFL, why not sumo wrestlers? Maybe they don't blow you away up front until they learn the game, but with a little coaching, might be effective.

[@Headhunter_212]

Takonoyama. Hakuho Sho is the goat. Hands-down

[@John_Hoover]

E. Honda could totally make it in the NFL.

[@RavageEject84]

I think the sumu wrestler he beat was 17yrs old

[@the_hispawaiian8156]

He didn't beat him though. He lost

[@butterxo3094]

Sounds like a 5 star recruit to me

[@andrewhakomakigranger]

Chiyonofuji

[@fuminoriwatanabe5283]

Be aware of Hidetora Hanada in Colorado State Rams🐏 He was a champ in sumo. I know he’s coming!

[@gerryavalos7734]

HAKUHO SHO!!!!!!!

[@blackthought6133]

They would destroy your chances due to the HOLDING PENALTIES 👀

[@kellenfoster7893]

Tanji is a third division, 17 year old, about 300 lbs. the techniques for sumo probably dont transfer very well minus the tachiai

[@JohnDoe-pt7ru]

Technique>Strength

[@frynfps93]

You have a line of D1 wrestlers it’s a wrap

[@takingitoutdoors2709]

Lived in Japan, they get paid well

[@dexterm2003]

Yokozuna make between 1-2 million in salary, incentives, and special prizes. They likely make even more than from their supporters but that is not NFL money.

[@svenskhund3603]

​@@dexterm2003 Of course it's not NFL money the United States is a far larger country than Japan so its popular athletes have more money from supporters to earn. The majority of high ranking Sumo make their bank from sponsors, they don't rely on tournament prizes alone. But comparatively to other Japanese athletes, yes sumo wrestlers make bank.

[@davidjacobson6791]

Sumo wrestles probably could, but they are so extremely dedicated to being Sumo that I don’t believe very many of them would be interested. They kinda live, breathe and eat sumo.

[@okay1775]

There's money in the NFL

[@fangiscool1]

Sumo arms are too short. Linemen have crazy length, not just height

[@amineghedira5867]

I love how Jason didn't want to put down sumo wrestlers by saying how much they earn, they basically make only 6 figures per year

[@jshawney3355]

Here's a dirty secret about the industry the Japanese dont want you to know. Most of the sumo are Mongolian. Theyre recruited for their size and wrestling pedigree. The top ranks of the sumo are DOMINATED by Mongols. They bring them in as kids or teens and give them Japanese names.

[@voiceofreason2674]

Watching sumo after last weeks mma fight. Sumo is so much better than mma grappling and way less homoerotic

[@chadfisher611]

This is the equivalent of wearing cleats vs. not. That sumo has no belt to grab on to and is basically letting the football player push as hard as he can. In a real match the sumo would leverage that forward motion, grab the belt, and launch that dude 10 feet out of the ring

[@kuvy0jhm00b]

The Sumo Wrestler he beat the 2nd go around was Sekiwake ranked. Maybe not Yokozuna, but more than just a regular Sumo guy. If you really wanted to see who was top of the Sumo world before his retirement you should watch Hakuho Sho. I'd be intrigues if Parson could move him or best yet be able beat him. Nonetheless, Sumo is a No joke sport, probably wouldn't translate well but how well balanced, and strong these guys are is amazing

[@abnego9676]

The knowledge of leverage and body mechanics would definitely help, but most of the skills are just different. They are tremendous athletes in their own right, though. If one had the mind for football knowledge and wanted to make the jump, I could see it working well.

[@kuvy0jhm00b]

@@abnego9676 a Former Yokozuna tried once and couldn't make the cut. The gap for learning the game is too far off for them especially by the time they are Makuuchi ranked(where most praise their work). Football is only similar in the same aspect of you have to learn at an early age, hone the skills you where taught and hopefully by the time your college ready you get picked up. Sumo wrestlers look great on paper but not on the actual field.

[@abnego9676]

@@kuvy0jhm00b Absolutely fair points. Like someone said in a different comment, they after completely dedicated to the art of sumo. Being in the NFL requires a lot more than pure brawn. Good call. 🍻

[@skidawg22]

A few things about Hakuho: 1. He's Mongolian, as have been a lot of really good sumo wrestlers of late, including current yokozuna Terunofuji. 2. Upon retirement, Hakuho took control of the Miyagino stable, but because of a bullying controversy his stable was folded into Isegahama stable (where the aforementioned Terunofuji trains and is run by another retired yokozuna, Asahifuji).

[@skidawg22]

Just Googled the photos from this. The sekiwake is Wakamotoharu, who has a brother in the same stable (try to say HIS name fast: Wakatakakage) who, when healthy, is just as good (at his peak, he was also sekiwake) and is another good example of a wrestler who's not an incredibly big guy.

[@dontevntrip8627]

Sumo dominates in the 1st quarter but what about the 4th quarter. Something tells me they are not built for endurance.

[@MrDuncanhall]

The problem is that those guys are treated like royalty over there. They're not leaving that to be treated like an NFL lineman.

[@skidawg22]

Sumo wrestlers live like Shinto monks, really. Should they be one of the lucky few to earn the rank of yokozuna, they are then treated like gods.

[@icholas1527]

There isn't a sport on earth that these guys wouldn't just say NFL players would be the best at.

[@okay1775]

They pander very hard to foreigners

[@ocanaldojj]

The best rikish are way more agile than linemen

[@914Rocky]

Top sumo guys make a million or two over the table. But they make much much much more under the table. Clubs, rich patrons, corporations pay the top guys big money. Not top nfl money though. Re Micah, he was wrestling a 4th or 5th tier guy. He would have zero chance against anyone in either the top or the second division (Makuuchi or Juryo). Zero. There is a funny video of Steph Curry trying to move the 🐐 Hakuho (after he retired). Not one mm did he move him. These guys are as flexible as gymnasts and are A nimble as Patrick Mahomes and as strong as world class power lifters. It’s amazing to see.

[@skidawg22]

Watched that video this morning. And it's Hakuho in business casual attire!

[@jaythomaso9311]

Hakuho and Asashoryu would absolutely destroy most nfl players with technique and strategy..strength too maybe

[@blinksstayfresh2524]

Yeah easily. That’s what they are trained to do.