Elijah Esaias Holyfield, born on November 30, 1997, in College Park, Georgia, is an American athlete whose journey has spanned football, wrestling, and the shadow of his legendary father’s boxing legacy.
As the son of Evander Holyfield, the former undisputed heavyweight boxing champion known as “The Real Deal,” Elijah grew up in a household steeped in athletic excellence and discipline.
He inherited not just his father’s physical prowess but also a relentless work ethic, often drawing from Evander’s rigorous training routines and dietary habits during his own pursuits.
From a young age, Elijah navigated the pressures of fame, attending Woodward Academy where his talents on the football field quickly shone.
Siblings
Elijah is one of eleven siblings, all sharing the distinctive “E” initial naming tradition established by their father.
Among his full siblings from his mother, Tamie Pettaway, is his sister Eden Eloise Holyfield, with whom he shared formative years marked by their father’s demanding boxing schedule.
Other half-siblings include Evander Holyfield Jr., who has ventured into boxing like their father; Evette Ashley Holyfield, a daughter from an earlier relationship; Ewin Ezekiel Holyfield, another brother pursuing athletic endeavors; Eleazar Evan Holyfield, born to Toi Irvin; Emani Winter Holyfield; Ebonne Esheal Holyfield; Elijah Jedidiah Holyfield, a namesake half-brother distinguished by his middle name and more private life; Eve Elizabeth Holyfield; and Eli Ethan Holyfield, the youngest among them.
Career
Holyfield’s professional career kicked off on the football field, where his explosive running style propelled him from high school stardom at Woodward Academy to the University of Georgia Bulldogs.
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As a highly touted recruit, ranked ninth among running backs and 25th overall nationally, he burst onto the college scene in 2016, appearing in five games as a true freshman and rushing for 29 yards on six carries.
His sophomore year in 2017 saw steady growth with 293 yards and two touchdowns on 50 carries, but it was his junior season in 2018 that cemented his legacy, as he shared backfield duties with D’Andre Swift to amass 1,018 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 159 attempts, helping Georgia to a strong campaign.
Forgoing his senior year, Holyfield entered the 2019 NFL Draft as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Carolina Panthers and spending time on their practice squad without seeing regular-season action.
His NFL odyssey continued with stints on the Philadelphia Eagles’ active roster for a wildcard playoff game in 2019 and subsequent practice squad roles through 2021, followed by a brief practice squad engagement with the Cincinnati Bengals in late 2021.
Despite four seasons in the league without a single game snap, Holyfield’s tenacity led him to pivot toward professional wrestling, signing with WWE’s NXT developmental brand in November 2024.
There, he trained rigorously, channeling his football-honed athleticism into the ring, and made waves in February 2025 by competing in the inaugural season of WWE’s reality series LFG (Legends & Future Greats), where he was mentored by wrestling icon The Undertaker.
By late 2024, he debuted on NXT Level Up, marking a bold new chapter that honors his father’s combat sports heritage without stepping into the boxing ring.
Accolades
In high school at Woodward Academy, Elijah exploded for a breakout junior year with 1,735 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns on 264 carries across 14 games, capping his senior season with five 100-yard performances, nine receptions for 102 yards, and an impeccable record of zero fumbles.
At the University of Georgia, his 2018 junior campaign stood out, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards in a shared backfield and contributing to the Bulldogs’ SEC contention, a feat that underscored his efficiency and burst.
Transitioning to WWE, his participation in the LFG series in 2025, under The Undertaker’s guidance, earned praise for his standout performances, including a notable tag match with Anthony Luke that drew real-time feedback from Booker T, positioning him as a rising NXT talent.
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