Rio Wells
Encyclopedia
Rio Wells is a former Canadian Football player and MMA fighter http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/f/678DA3ED3B6F61F2/Rio-Wells/. He is from Edmonton, Alberta.
, the largest public school in the state of Louisiana
. He was a star for the school's Football
. As he played in high school with future NFL quarterback, Kordell Stewart
, He was offered a scholarship to Fresno State. He Later went to the CFL
to play football for five years.
in Marrero, LA, where Reggie Wayne
would eventually start his career. He played alongside Kordell Stewart
. By graduation, Wells had scholarships to many respected colleges including Fresno State University, where he ended up.
As soon as Wells landed in Fresno, He loved it instantly.http://mmajunkie.com/news/20600/for-former-pro-football-player-rio-wells-tonights-tfc-fight-is-a-chance-for-fun.mma He played well in college as a Defensive back, but he didn't make it to the NFL
. Luckily, he attended CFL
tryouts and made it to the Edmonton Eskimos
. He wasn't shining in the CFL. He Played for 5 years with the CFL.
steady work. He began working with troubled youths as a mentor.
It's a job he continues now, and he said the work helps
him keep his fighting career in perspective.
One of the first sports Wells tried after football was hockey.
(He was, after all, living in Canada.)
But then he joined a rugby team, which led to his introduction to MMA.
After their matches, the team would find a television to watch UFC events. Wells knew the sport existed, but it wasn't his first choice for his post-football athletic endeavor.
Not wanting to later regret failing to try, Wells located a local gym and got himself into every class he could find. The instructors liked his natural ability, so they encouraged him to come to the team tryout after just weeks.
Within two months of his first class, Wells was in his first fight, at an Evolution Fighting Championships show in September 2009.
"It lasted all of 20 seconds," he said. "The guy landed a kick to my quad, and I could feel the cramping coming, so I knew I couldn't go into another round. I said, 'I just need to end this as fast as I can,' and it was a knockout."
Within six months, Wells would be 3-0 with a string of quick victories. Since, he has prepared for his next chance – while continuing to help the 32 boys under his care work to improve their own lives. He can't make fighting his full-time profession, but he said that might actually help his career.
Wells is now 5-1-0 in his MMA career.
Personal life
Wells was born in New Orleans, La in 1973. He attended John Ehret High SchoolJohn Ehret High School
John Ehret High School is a four-year public high school serving grades 9-12 located in unincorporated Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States, near Marrero....
, the largest public school in the state of Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. He was a star for the school's Football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
. As he played in high school with future NFL quarterback, Kordell Stewart
Kordell Stewart
Kordell Stewart, nicknamed "Slash" , is a former American NFL quarterback. Stewart attended the University of Colorado and was drafted 60th in the 1995 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers...
, He was offered a scholarship to Fresno State. He Later went to the CFL
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
to play football for five years.
Football career
Wells Started playing football at the age of six. By him starting at such a young age, he was able to receive help and tips to prepare him for high school. He started his Football career at John Ehret High SchoolJohn Ehret High School
John Ehret High School is a four-year public high school serving grades 9-12 located in unincorporated Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States, near Marrero....
in Marrero, LA, where Reggie Wayne
Reggie Wayne
Reginald "Reggie" Wayne is a professional American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. Wayne was selected in the 1st round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Colts...
would eventually start his career. He played alongside Kordell Stewart
Kordell Stewart
Kordell Stewart, nicknamed "Slash" , is a former American NFL quarterback. Stewart attended the University of Colorado and was drafted 60th in the 1995 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers...
. By graduation, Wells had scholarships to many respected colleges including Fresno State University, where he ended up.
As soon as Wells landed in Fresno, He loved it instantly.http://mmajunkie.com/news/20600/for-former-pro-football-player-rio-wells-tonights-tfc-fight-is-a-chance-for-fun.mma He played well in college as a Defensive back, but he didn't make it to the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. Luckily, he attended CFL
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
tryouts and made it to the Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
. He wasn't shining in the CFL. He Played for 5 years with the CFL.
MMA career
When he neared the end of his playing career, Wells realized he needed somesteady work. He began working with troubled youths as a mentor.
It's a job he continues now, and he said the work helps
him keep his fighting career in perspective.
One of the first sports Wells tried after football was hockey.
(He was, after all, living in Canada.)
But then he joined a rugby team, which led to his introduction to MMA.
After their matches, the team would find a television to watch UFC events. Wells knew the sport existed, but it wasn't his first choice for his post-football athletic endeavor.
Not wanting to later regret failing to try, Wells located a local gym and got himself into every class he could find. The instructors liked his natural ability, so they encouraged him to come to the team tryout after just weeks.
Within two months of his first class, Wells was in his first fight, at an Evolution Fighting Championships show in September 2009.
"It lasted all of 20 seconds," he said. "The guy landed a kick to my quad, and I could feel the cramping coming, so I knew I couldn't go into another round. I said, 'I just need to end this as fast as I can,' and it was a knockout."
Within six months, Wells would be 3-0 with a string of quick victories. Since, he has prepared for his next chance – while continuing to help the 32 boys under his care work to improve their own lives. He can't make fighting his full-time profession, but he said that might actually help his career.
Wells is now 5-1-0 in his MMA career.