Gable Steveson: WWE, 2019 Loophole, Sexual Charges, Arrest and NFL

Gable Steveson is one of the most decorated American wrestlers of his generation. The Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA heavyweight champion later made headlines for his move to WWE, his brief NFL opportunity with the Buffalo Bills and, more recently, his transition to mixed martial arts.

However, searches for Gable Steveson also frequently focus on his 2019 arrest and the term “loophole.” The case involved allegations of criminal sexual conduct while Steveson was a University of Minnesota wrestler. He and teammate Dylan Martinez were arrested in June 2019, but prosecutors ultimately decided not to file criminal charges.

Here is what is publicly documented about Steveson’s WWE career, the 2019 case, the so-called legal loophole and his NFL journey.

Gable Steveson and the 2019 Arrest

In June 2019, Gable Steveson and fellow University of Minnesota wrestler Dylan Martinez were arrested on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct. The arrests followed a police investigation into an alleged sexual assault.

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office initially announced on June 18, 2019, that prosecutors could not bring charges at that time. The office said the investigation remained active and that investigators would continue reviewing evidence. Both men were released because the period during which they could be held without charges was expiring.

This distinction is important: an arrest is not the same as a criminal conviction or a finding of guilt. Steveson was not convicted in the case.

The University of Minnesota had suspended the wrestlers from team activities while the investigation continued.

What Happened With the Sexual Charges?

The case remained under investigation for several months.

In December 2019, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced that prosecutors would not charge Steveson or Martinez. Freeman cited “inadequate evidence” and said investigators had encountered conflicting accounts of what happened. The investigation included police reports, interviews, DNA and other forensic evidence.

Freeman also discussed Minnesota’s laws concerning intoxication and consent. He said prosecutors were working under significant legal constraints and compared Minnesota’s law at the time with Wisconsin legislation that gave prosecutors broader authority in certain intoxication-related circumstances.

Therefore, describing the case simply as “sexual charges against Gable Steveson” can be misleading. He was arrested on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct, but no criminal charges were ultimately filed against him.

What Is the Gable Steveson 2019 Loophole?

The word “loophole” is often used online when discussing the 2019 case. It refers to a feature of Minnesota’s law concerning voluntary intoxication and the definition of mental incapacity.

At the time, Minnesota law defined a person as mentally incapacitated when alcohol or another substance had been administered without that person’s agreement and left the person unable to give reasoned consent. The legal distinction around voluntary alcohol consumption became an important issue in subsequent Minnesota sexual-assault law discussions.

However, it is inaccurate to say that a “loophole” automatically cleared Steveson of criminal responsibility.

The Hennepin County prosecutor’s official explanation in 2019 was that there was inadequate evidence to fairly charge and prosecute the case, while also pointing to restrictions created by Minnesota’s then-existing intoxication and consent laws.

The issue later became part of a broader legal debate in Minnesota. A 2021 Minnesota Supreme Court decision examined the state’s definition of “mentally incapacitated” in an intoxication-related sexual-assault case. Minnesota lawmakers subsequently changed the law to address voluntary intoxication and consent.

Was Gable Steveson Charged With Sexual Assault?

No criminal sexual-assault charge was ultimately filed against Gable Steveson in the 2019 case.

He was arrested on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct in June 2019, but the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office initially declined to bring charges while the investigation continued. In December, prosecutors announced that they would not prosecute the case because they considered the evidence inadequate.

The University of Minnesota subsequently lifted the wrestlers’ suspensions, making them eligible to return to team activities.

Gable Steveson’s WWE Career

After becoming an Olympic champion, Steveson attracted major attention from professional wrestling companies.

In September 2021, WWE announced an exclusive agreement with Steveson. WWE described the deal as its first-ever NIL agreement, allowing him to remain connected with the company while he defended his NCAA wrestling title for Minnesota.

Steveson continued competing in collegiate wrestling and won his second NCAA heavyweight championship in 2022. He later transitioned toward professional wrestling.

His WWE run, however, did not develop into the major in-ring career that many expected.

In May 2024, WWE released Steveson from his contract. He subsequently pursued a completely different athletic opportunity in professional football.

Did Gable Steveson Play in the NFL?

Gable Steveson did not establish an NFL playing career, but he did receive an opportunity with the Buffalo Bills.

On May 31, 2024, the Bills announced that they had signed Steveson as an undrafted free agent defensive tackle. The move was notable because Steveson had no traditional college football career.

The Olympic champion participated in Buffalo’s preseason and experienced his first football game action.

According to NFL.com, Steveson played 14 snaps in his preseason debut and recorded a tackle and a quarterback pressure. However, he ultimately did not make Buffalo’s 53-man roster. The Bills waived him during the August 2024 roster cuts.

So, when people ask whether Gable Steveson played in the NFL, the answer is more specific: he signed with the Buffalo Bills and appeared in the preseason, but he did not make the regular-season roster.

Why Did Gable Steveson Leave WWE for Football?

Steveson’s move into football came after his WWE chapter ended.

His wrestling background gave him an unusual athletic profile for an NFL defensive lineman. He had elite strength, balance, explosiveness and grappling experience, but he had never played organized college football.

ESPN reported that Steveson was brought into conversations involving Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson and Bills coach Sean McDermott before Buffalo explored the possibility of bringing him in.

The experiment ultimately lasted only through the 2024 preseason.

Gable Steveson’s Career After the NFL

After leaving the Bills, Steveson moved into mixed martial arts.

By 2026, his career had taken another major turn. The UFC lists Steveson as an active heavyweight with a 4-0 professional record and four knockout victories. His UFC debut came in July 2026 against Elisha Ellison, whom he stopped in the first round.

His next UFC fight is scheduled against Sean Sharaf at UFC 331 on September 19, 2026, in Los Angeles.

The renewed attention around Steveson’s 2019 case has also followed him into MMA. Recent coverage has included public references to the old allegations, making it particularly important to distinguish between an allegation, an arrest and a criminal conviction.

Gable Steveson Career Timeline

Gable Steveson 2019 Case: What We Know

The key facts surrounding the 2019 case are straightforward:

• Steveson was arrested in June 2019 on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct.
• He was released without charges being filed at that point.
• Prosecutors continued investigating the allegations.
• In December 2019, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced that it would not prosecute.
• The prosecutor cited inadequate evidence and conflicting accounts.
• The prosecutor also discussed limitations involving Minnesota’s intoxication and consent laws.
• Steveson was never convicted in connection with the case.
• The University of Minnesota later lifted his suspension.

These facts are different from claims that Steveson was convicted of sexual assault. The public record does not support such a characterization.

Final Takeaway

Gable Steveson’s career has taken several unusual turns. He became an Olympic wrestling champion, signed with WWE, attempted an NFL career with the Buffalo Bills and later entered MMA.

His 2019 arrest remains one of the most searched parts of his background. Steveson and teammate Dylan Martinez were arrested on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct, but prosecutors ultimately declined to file charges, citing inadequate evidence and legal constraints surrounding intoxication and consent.

The term “loophole” comes from later discussions surrounding Minnesota’s intoxication and consent laws. It should not be treated as shorthand for a criminal conviction being overturned or a court finding Steveson guilty and then releasing him. The case never went to a criminal trial against Steveson.

Today, Steveson is pursuing a new career in the UFC. The promotion lists him as an active heavyweight, with a 4-0 professional record and four knockout victories heading into his September 19, 2026 bout with Sean Sharaf.

FAQs

Was Gable Steveson arrested in 2019?

Yes. Steveson was arrested in June 2019 on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct while he was a University of Minnesota wrestler.

Was Gable Steveson charged with sexual assault?

No. Prosecutors ultimately decided not to file criminal charges after reviewing the evidence.

What was the Gable Steveson loophole?

The term refers to a legal issue involving Minnesota’s treatment of voluntary intoxication and a person’s capacity to consent. Prosecutors said the law created significant constraints in the 2019 investigation.

Did Gable Steveson go to WWE?

Yes. WWE signed Steveson to an exclusive agreement in 2021. He was released by the company in 2024.

Did Gable Steveson play in the NFL?

He signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted defensive tackle in 2024 and played in the preseason, but he was waived before the regular season.

Is Gable Steveson in the UFC?

Yes. UFC currently lists Steveson as an active heavyweight. He entered the UFC in 2026 after beginning his professional MMA career in 2025.