WWE Superstar Trick Williams has delivered a sharp response to Tom Brady’s reported “cute” remarks about professional wrestling.
The former South Carolina wide receiver, whose real name is Matrick Belton, addressed the comparison during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take.
Drawing from his experience in both football and wrestling, Williams explained why the physical demands of WWE should not be underestimated.

Trick Williams responds directly to Tom Brady’s ‘cute’ wrestling comments
Trick Williams addressed remarks suggesting that what he does in WWE is “cute” when compared to football while on First Take.
The WWE performer leaned on his own time on the field to explain why that characterisation misses the reality of physical competition.
“I saw some podcasts and everything where people were saying what I’m doing now as a WWE Superstar is cute. But you got to understand, Stephen A. Smith, playing football, you know, we went through a lot of hard things.”
“You know, you call the play, and then you’re going across the middle, you’re going to get hit. And just because things are predetermined doesn’t mean that it don’t hurt.”
“And what we do now as WWE Superstars, some things are predetermined. But, hey, if you got to sit in that pocket and throw that Cover Two post across the middle? You’re about to get hit.”
“Just because you drew the play and knew what was going to happen doesn’t mean that it doesn’t hurt. You know what I mean?”
“And that’s what we do now. Hey, we draw the play and get the job done. At the end of the day, you gotta get the job done. And you got to do it with the bright lights on.”
Matrick Belton’s football background shaped his WWE path
Before becoming Trick Williams, Matrick Belton began his college football career at Hampton University before transferring to South Carolina.
As a walk-on wide receiver in 2015, he played in every game for the Gamecocks and recorded 11 receptions for 121 yards.
He appeared in nine games during his final season in 2016, contributing primarily on special teams and earning SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll recognition.
Years later, Belton rebranded as Trick Williams and rose through WWE’s NXT before earning a place on the main roster.
Now a regular presence on SmackDown, Williams has used his football experience to reinforce his message that both sports demand toughness and execution under bright lights.
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