Abraham Lincoln, the Wrestler

His grappling prowess intimidated his opponents and earned their respect.
Abraham Lincoln, the Wrestler
An illustration of Lincoln's wrestling match with Jack Armstrong. Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection. Public Domain
Trevor Phipps
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Many historians consider Abraham Lincoln to be the best president in the history of the United States, but many don’t know that before he became famous as a politician, his name was well known due to his feats as a wrestler.

He wasn’t the first U.S. president to wrestle; George Washington was also known to participate in the sport. But Lincoln was, by far, the most successful. In fact, some believe that Lincoln’s dominance in the ring helped fuel his political career.

Trevor Phipps
Trevor Phipps
Author
For about 20 years, Trevor Phipps worked in the restaurant industry as a chef, bartender, and manager until he decided to make a career change. For the last several years, he has been a freelance journalist specializing in crime, sports, and history.