Why did John Cena call NFL Combine bench press 'worthless test of skill'? Revisiting WWE legend's rant
Christian McCaffrey is living proof that the NFL Combine's bench press workout is close to worthless. The 5-foot-11, 202-pound running back only put up 10 reps of 225 pounds during the 2017 NFL draft, which was the second-lowest of any running back that year.
Despite his "lack of strength" displayed at the combine, McCaffrey was still drafted eighth overall in the 2017 NFL draft, which is very high for a running back, especially a "weaker" one.
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Iconic wrestling superstar John Cena once called the bench press the most worthless test of skill at the combine.
Cena said via Sports Illustrated:
"I love a lot of the tests in the combine. I hate the bench-press for reps test. I think it's the most worthless test of skill that they have at the combine. And an organization like the NFL, they're going to come back with 'Ahh what does the kid know?' But I know a lot about strength and fitness. And upper body reps for a segregated weight for max is a horrible test for the combine athletes."
Cena knows a thing or two about fitness. He's one of the greatest wrestlers of all time and has the most world championship reigns in WWE history.
Stanford's strength and conditioning coach doubled down on Cena's claim that the bench press is a worthless test
Even McCaffrey's strength and conditioning coach at Stanford thinks the bench press is a useless NFL workout skill.
Stanford’s strength and conditioning coach, Shannon Turley, said in an interview with Bleacher Report in 2013 that benching a lot has nothing to do with playing football.
Turley said:
“I don’t care about how much guys can bench, squat, or power clean.It has nothing to do with playing football. Football is blocking and tackling. It’s creating contact, avoiding contact and gaining separation if you are a skill guy on the perimeter. That’s football.”
As mentioned above, McCaffrey had a "bad" combine bench press of just 10 reps.
Dalvin Cook hits 22 reps, Christian McCaffrey gets 10, as RB prospects hit bench press at the #NFLCombine. thesco.re/2mjDXY9 https://t.co/pXr93J3uln
He's a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, with over 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season in 2019.
In six seasons, he has rushed for 4,726 yards and 38 touchdowns while also receiving for 3,756 yards and 22 touchdowns. Despite a poor bench press performance at the combine, he's been a fantastic running back.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit John Cena, Sports Illustrated, Shannon Turley, Bleacher Report, and H/T Sportskeeda