Things are not always what they initially appear to be.
Those two statements are true regarding at least three recent news stories with a connection to wrestling. The original reports proved not to be true. InterMat thought it might be helpful to set the record straight on these wrestling-related stories ... to prevent readers from any potential embarrassment, as in "Did you hear the one about …" only to have your friends tell you, "Not true!"
Ex-wrestler kills mountain lion -- not
Last week, media from around the world reported that a California man described as a "former NCAA wrestler" fought off a mountain lion that attacked him near a popular hiking trail. He fought back, breaking the cougar's neck, killing it.
The man went into great detail about the attack in an interview with a San Luis Obispo TV station, showing scratches and scars on his body.
The TV station did some digging, and found holes in the man's story. Within a few days, the "victim" was forced to admit he had made up the story. No word as to whether the "former NCAA wrestler" part was fiction, too.
Burroughs to train MMA star -- not
A week ago, a number of mixed martial arts websites were reporting that Ultimate Fighting Championships had hired Jordan Burroughs, 2012 Olympic gold medal-winning freestyle wrestler and two-time NCAA champ for University of Nebraska, to coach UFC fighter Conor McGregor in wrestling.
The story may have seemed credible, as a number of MMA media outlets quoted another fighter … with some articles lambasting the UFC for playing favorites by helping one fighter with his alleged wrestling deficiency.
This story was refuted by two people who should know -- the man who heads up UFC, and the wife of Jordan Burroughs. Dana White, UFC president, strenuously denied the story, saying "That's ridiculous." Lauren Burroughs posted this message on Twitter: "Twice now today I have read or listened to completely false or inaccurate "news" reports regarding my husband's career."
It only makes sense. Jordan Burroughs has plenty of things to occupy his time these days. Such as preparing for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro this summer.
Hawkeyes in trouble for endorsing Trump -- not
Just before the Iowa caucuses, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump held a rally at the University of Iowa Fieldhouse. Prior to the rally, Trump had met with some members of the Hawkeye football and wrestling teams … then, while on stage, the multimillionaire candidate called each set of athletes out of the audience to join him. After acknowledging the football team (who gave him a replica jersey), Trump shifted to wrestling. "Get the wrestlers up here," Trump said. "Come on, fellas. Where are they? Where are they? These guys -- I'm not messing with 'em ... Look at these guys. Undefeated team, University of Iowa."
Some media outlets immediately reported that the student-athletes and/or Trump may have violated NCAA endorsement rules. However, within a couple days, the NCAA responded to those news reports, saying, "Acting on his or her own, a student-athlete may endorse a political candidate."
Endorsement or not, sharing the stage with the winning Hawkeye wrestling team did not make Trump a winner in the Hawkeye state. Although polls had predicted he would win the Iowa Republican caucus, Trump came in second.
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