RGIII's Teammate Likens Him to John Cena, Talks Playing with Big E in College

Washington Redskins offensive lineman Adam Gettis is this week's guest on Turnbuckle Weekly with Chuck Carroll.

Remember the name Adam Gettis. He's a reserve offensive lineman for the Washington Redskins who just might make big splash in pro wrestling sometime in the future. It's a path that's already been paved for him thanks to his former college teammate and current WWE Superstar Big E. Gettis and Big E, born Ettore Ewen, played collegiately at the University of Iowa and were both big time wrestling nerds. It was their shared passion for pigskin and slobber knockers that forged a friendship that lasts to this day.

Gettis said the strong man character Big E portrays in the ring isn't a fabrication. In fact, it's something he witnessed years before the WWE Universe. "Before he had his ACL injuries he was squatting 600 or 700 pounds, he was benching 600 or 700 pounds… he's just a monster in the weight room," he recalled of their time at Iowa. The only made-for-television twist on Big E's character would be an amplified personality. Gettis describes the former WWE Intercontinental Champion as a mild-mannered guy with a good head on his shoulders — literally. Big E was a teacher's assistant in college. And as a bit of wrestling trivia, Big E was a huge fan of The Rock, according to Gettis.

After college their careers would take them on separate paths. Big E, of course, followed his dream of becoming a pro wrestler while Gettis graduated to the NFL where he now protects Robert Griffin III for a living. In Griffin, he sees a lot of the same drive possessed by John Cena that enabled him to become top dog in WWE.

"With John Cena, his whole deal is to work hard and whatever you do is going to pay off. I know RG works his butt off in the weight room. He's in the film room probably seven hours after practice. He's usually the first one in and the last one out."

Gettis believes that hard work is paying off for Griffin who is attempting to shake off a sophomore slump and disappointing 3-13 defense of the NFC East title. And then of course there's the funny story about fellow Redskins lineman Trent Williams eavesdropping on our wrestling conversations in the locker room. But I'll save that for the audio. I caught up with Gettis ahead of the new-look Redskins 2014 campaign. Here is a look at what we discussed:

• Relationship with Big E
• Big E in college
• Did Brock Lesnar give John Cena a concussion?
• How long with Brock Lesnar be WWE Champion?
• Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 31?
• Funny locker room story about Trent Williams being a wrestling fan
• RGIII the wrestling fan?
• RGIII is John Cena… sort of

Getting Big E to the next level in WWE

"I'm thinking if he can get back into the Intercontinental Championship look or get pushed for the U.S. Title or one of the belts, he can get put over on some guys and it'll make him the man."

John Cena's look after match with Brock Lesnar compared to concussions in NFL

"After that second suplex, you could just see it in his face. He started turning red and he was holding his neck and he just had that glazed look over his eyes. I just knew after that it wasn't a good deal at all."

Brock Lesnar winning WWE Title

I think it's a great idea that he won. I went to Mick Foley's (comedy show) and he said that the perfect person to go over on John Cena and win the championship was Brock Lesnar. And I agree with him totally. But the way he did it though, I thought it was awesome. Finally somebody just went out and dominated John Cena for the first time. I was happy to see it. I am a John Cena fan, but it was good for somebody else to go over on him as good as he did."

The full interview can be heard at the top of the page.

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Chuck Carroll is former pro wrestling announcer and referee turned sports media personality. He once appeared on Monday Night RAW when he presented Robert Griffin III with a WWE title belt in the Redskins locker room.

Follow him on Twitter @TheChuckCarroll.

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