WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg rang in the new year not with a wrestling promo, but with an emotional tribute to his son, Gage Goldberg, highlighting the young athlete’s “unbelievable” dedication to his football career at the University of Colorado.
In a video posted to his Instagram account (@goldberg95) on New Year’s Day, the former Universal Champion broke from his usual content to share a personal story about his son’s work ethic during the college football offseason.
“Absolutely Floored”
Goldberg revealed that the University of Colorado Buffaloes did not qualify for a bowl game this season due to a “less than superior record,” leaving Gage home for the last month. Despite the downtime, Bill Goldberg observed a level of commitment from his son that left him stunned.
“Twice a week, he will wake up at 6:00 in the morning, drive two hours to Austin, train with a wonderful trainer Tim Riley for a couple hours, then turn around and drive two hours back home,” Goldberg said in the video.
Visibly proud, Goldberg noted that while he already knew his son was a leader, witnessing this routine firsthand was eye-opening. “I am absolutely floored at this kid’s dedication,” he said. “Talent can only take you so far. It’s integrity and drive and character that pretty much win every game”.
In the accompanying caption, Goldberg joked that someone must have “hijacked” his account because he rarely opens up publicly in this manner, but felt compelled to share who inspires him. He tagged the post with #whoinspiresyou and #whosnext, adding, “One day the world will find out what a special human being you are”.
A Chip Off the Old Block: Football Lineage
Gage Goldberg is currently a linebacker for the Colorado Buffaloes, wearing jersey #55. He joined the team as part of the class of 2024 and has seen action primarily on special teams, recording snaps on kickoff and punt return units during the 2025 season.
The gridiron grit runs deep in the family. Before his legendary undefeated streak in WCW, Bill Goldberg was a standout defensive tackle at the University of Georgia, where he was a team captain and earned First-Team All-SEC honors in 1989. He was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1990 NFL Draft and spent time with the Sacramento Surge (WLAF), where he won a World Bowl championship, and the Atlanta Falcons, playing in 14 NFL games before an abdominal injury ended his football career in 1995.
WWE: The “Backup Plan”?
While Gage is currently focused on the NFL, the wrestling world has kept a close eye on him, especially given his father’s legacy and Gage’s previous on-screen appearances, such as his interaction with Bobby Lashley at SummerSlam 2021.
Gage has publicly stated that WWE is a “backup plan” if his football dreams do not materialize, a sentiment his father supports. However, the recruitment process has already seen some friction. Bill Goldberg revealed in 2025 that he actually put a stop to Gage signing a “Next In Line” (NIL) deal with WWE because the financial offer was too low.
Despite the stalled contract, WWE leadership remains interested. WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque has commented on Gage’s potential, noting a specific intensity in the young athlete.
“I can see this sparkle in Gage’s eyes, and he’s been very clear about it – if the NFL doesn’t work out, here he comes,” Triple H said at a press conference in 2025. “He probably won’t be the last Goldberg in the business”.
For now, however, Gage Goldberg appears solely focused on driving back and forth to Austin, preparing to crush the 2026 season. As his father signed off in his video: “2026, you’re gonna kill it. Let’s go”.
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