Cyclones' Zabriskie enjoyed short-lived NFL career

AMES – David Zabriskie returned to life as he knows it this week with a few extra T-shirts in his dresser drawer, some sore muscles and an experience he'll remember forever.

The Iowa State heavyweight wrestler spent last weekend with the NFL's Cleveland Browns as a special invitee to the team's rookie minicamp – despite having zero background as a football player. Zabriskie is not expecting a call back for their next mini-camp in two weeks.

“It was a three-day football career and I'm fine with that,” he said. “I got enough of a taste of it for a lifetime.”

The Browns contacted ISU wrestling coaches in March after Zabriskie won his NCAA title, hoping to strike gold like some teams have done with athletes from other sports.

They talked to Zabriskie before last month's draft and called him early last week to arrange plans for him to be in Ohio by Friday morning.

“I thought they'd give me more of a heads up,” he said. “I had three days to break in a pair of cleats and get a little bit of practice in.”

ISU's strength and conditioning coaches for football put Zabriskie through some drills inside the team's indoor practice facility.

Linebacker was where the three-time ISU All-American lined up. Players did not have pads on.

“I was a little disappointed about that,” Zabriskie said. “I figured I could have excelled there the most; being able to hit people hard.”

The Browns also had Missouri heavyweight Mark Ellis in camp.

Ellis, who played offensive line, is the 2009 NCAA champion. Zabriskie went a perfect 8-0 against Ellis.

“He didn't want to talk to me too much,” Zabriskie said. “We've been Big 12 foes for a while. I beat him every time. I think he's a little bitter about that. I didn't know anybody else there so I thought we could have put it aside.”

Coach Eric Mangini is looking anywhere and everywhere for players who can help his team.

“They're extremely competitive,” Mangini told reporters of inviting Ellis and Zabriskie. ”Just give ‘em a shot. You're looking for traits.”

And if they liked what Zabriskie had to offer?

Could or would he put wrestling on hold for a career in the NFL? The paychecks would be nicer.

“You could make a lot more money,” Zabriskie said. “If for some reason they saw that they could turn me into something or use me for something, I'd have to sit down and think. It wouldn't be a definitive yes.”

Zabriskie is preparing for a career in freestyle wrestling.

He has some tournaments lined up before next month's World Team Trials June 11-12 in Council Bluffs. Ultimately, he has an eye on the 2012 Olympics in London.

“I've got a busy summer trying to get a jump start on my freestyle career,” said Zabriskie, who was 116-22 at ISU. “I've got to catch up to a few guys.”

He got to meet Browns legend Jim Brown, and saw some

Zabriskie grew up in New Jersey a Giants fan. He'll now also cheer for the Browns, even if their call never comes.

“The whole experience was great,” Zabriskie said. “I didn't have any pressure on me. I already had my next couple of year planned out. This was extra.”