Jake Paul issued a unique challenge to all NFL players in a social media post on Saturday.
Paul said that he will pay $1 million to any NFL player “if you can box me better than I run routes against you,” with the internet serving as a judge.
Former star wide receiver Chad Johnson responded to the post, as he appeared to be willing to accept Paul’s challenge.
Paul also claimed that no NFL player can last two rounds in a professional boxing ring with him while saying that he could “catch a touchdown pass tomorrow” in a separate post.
Ryan Clark, a former NFL safety and host of The Pivot podcast, previously called out Paul for having the “audacity” to claim that he could “100 percent” play in the NFL as a wide receiver despite having “never stepped on a pro football field.”
Paul initially expressed confidence that he could suit up in an NFL game during an interview with Front Office Sports.
The 29-year-old explained that he wanted to play slot receiver, although he hasn’t competed in organized football since his varsity days at Westlake High School.
Paul is currently navigating through his career as a professional boxer, owning a 12-2 record with seven knockouts.
He’s defeated former MMA fighters including Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva while also picking up a win over Mike Tyson in Nov. 2024. In Paul’s most recent fight, he suffered a sixth-round knockout loss at the hands of Anthony Joshua.
While Paul’s plans of making an NFL roster may be difficult to accomplish, he still believes that he can find more success when lined up against an NFL player compared to a player potentially gaining the upper hand over him in a fight.
