The Players' Tribune

Life Out Loud: Goldberg

Bill Goldberg

Bill Goldberg

WWE

The Streak. Sting. Hulk Hogan. Bam Bam Bigelow. Brock Lesnar.

This is Life Out Loud, a new series from The Players’ Tribune where athletes go deep into their vaults to share memories based on snapshots from their past life. For this piece, we asked legendary wrestler Bill Goldberg to reflect on a few memorable moments from what has been a distinguished career in and out of the ring.

UNDATED - Nose guard Bill Goldberg Jr. of the University of Georgia Bulldogs makes a block during a game circa the 1988-1991 season. (Photo by Allen S
UNDATED - Nose guard Bill Goldberg Jr. of the University of Georgia Bulldogs makes a block during a game circa the 1988-1991 season. (Photo by Allen S / Allen Steele/Getty Images

“In all honesty, he’s the exact same guy that is sitting in front of you.” Goldberg remembers his days playing for the Georgia Bulldogs (0:29)

DECEMBER 27: Bill Goldberg #71 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on during the NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams on December 27, 1992. Bill Goldberg ma
DECEMBER 27: Bill Goldberg #71 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on during the NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams on December 27, 1992. Bill Goldberg ma / Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

“I looked as if I was the middle of an identity crisis.” Goldberg recalls his hair identity crisis with the Atlanta Falcons. (0:30)

First match
First match /

“I didn’t really have any idea what was going to happen.” Golberg looks back on winning his first televised match in 1997. (0:30)

“He’d been at the top before and he would impart his knowledge on younger guys.” Goldberg pays respect to the life and influence of Bam Bam Bigelow.(0:44)

Vs. NWO 1999
Vs. NWO 1999 /

“The streak wasn’t planned out. It was developed as we went along.” Golberg stretched his streak to 173 victories before losing his first match — and if it were up to him, it would have ended a different way. (0:56)

VS. Sting Halloween Havoc
VS. Sting Halloween Havoc /

“The hump that I crossed to go into the business, he helped me get cross it.” Goldberg remembers the huge impact Sting had on his career (0:52)

Defeats Hogan for title
Defeats Hogan for title /

“That was him passing the torch.” Goldberg looks back on the night he defeated Hulk Hogan to become world champion (1:28)

Vs. Brock Lesner
Vs. Brock Lesner / Frank Vitucci

“Though many have tried, none have succeeded but me.” Goldberg reflects on his last match with Brock Lesnar and looks forward to his next one (1:33)

You can watch Goldberg’s return to the ring against Brock Lesnar at WWE’s Survivor Series this Sunday, November 20 at 7pm ET live around the world on WWE Network.  Also, Goldberg is a downloadable character in WWE 2K17, which is now available globally.

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