Trevis Gipson has been a revelation so far in 2021. After a quiet rookie year in 2020, the former 5th round pick made it his mission to improve this season. That involved attacking every facet of his game both fundamentally and physically. He worked long hours to improve his techniques when rushing the passer, expanding his arsenal of moves. At the same time, he reforged his body to become stronger and quicker as an outside linebacker.
That kind of hard work isn’t easy. It takes a lot of self-motivation. Gipson appeared to find it in an unexpected place. Professional wrestling. After notching his first career sack in the win over the Detroit Lions, the linebacker took to Instagram and delivered the line, “Just when you think that you have the answers, I change the questions.” This is a clear play on the iconic line by WWE Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper who said it back in the 1980s during a famous interview segment. So how did a kid who wasn’t even alive when that happened come to know it?
He explained on Bears All Access.
The coach he is likely referring to is Bill Shuey. He runs the Bears outside linebackers and has done a tremendous job so far this season. It should be a surprise he’s the one who tipped Gipson off to guys like Piper. Shuey actually didn’t get into football until the end of his college days. Before that, he was a competitive wrestler in the lightweight class. Usually, kids who are into wrestling at that age probably had a love for the pro style with colorful personalities like Piper, Hulk Hogan, Rick Flair, Harley Race, and so on.
It makes perfect sense that Shuey would use what he knows about pro wrestling to help teach his players various lessons. In this case, Piper was notorious for his self-confidence. Something that is an absolute necessity in that world. The best wrestlers find greatness by being brash and driven. Work hard and apologize to nobody. The business isn’t going to help you. You have to help yourself. That was Piper.
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Trevis Gipson is learning exactly what he needs to
The Bears aren’t going to just hand him opportunities. That isn’t how it works with 5th round picks. If he wants to play, he’ll have to earn it. The same way Darnell Mooney did last year. Force Matt Nagy and Sean Desai to take notice. Gipson did exactly that. He looked good in training camp and carried it over to the preseason where he largely dominated. That led to more chances in actual games.
Now he’s coming off the best performance of his young career with a sack and two tackles for a loss against Detroit. He is starting to carry himself with the same swagger Piper did all those years ago. Before too long if this keeps up people will have to start calling him “Turbulent” Trevis Gipson or something.
This only makes him more perfect for Chicago.
While the city might be football-first, some people might be surprised to learn it is a huge hotbed for wrestling too. Fans are rabid in these parts and one of the best of this current generation, CM Punk, is a Chicago native. So Gipson should find plenty of supporters by embracing that athletic entertainment.
