George Allen offered Andre the Giant a contract...

[SwingBringsThePain]

Can anyone elaborate on this?

I've heard this my whole life. "Andre the Giant was actually offered a spot on an NFL team. He had never played football, but he was so big and strong that he dominated in a tryout."

Well, it WAS the 'Skins and it was Allen in 1974, but do any of you have further details? Anyone know if he really suited up for a tryout?

[Deadskins]

I've heard Theismann tell the story of the tryout a few times, and seen pictures of them together. I'm pretty sure they never had a helmet that would fit him.

I found this mention on wikipedia:

He was offered a professional American football contract with the Washington Redskins after a tryout in 1974 and seriously considered it, but turned it down, reasoning that he could make far more money wrestling.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_the_Giant

The Redskins Encyclopedia tells more details about it and has the picture:
http://books.google.com/books?id=W8pvTh ... &ct=result
Also, the year was '75, not '74.

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

I think he would have given Riggo a run for his money in the drinking games after practice.