There’s a realistic chance Jordan Burroughs, six-time World Champion and 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist, has wrestled his last match.
After losing to Penn State wrestling legend Jason Nolf 3-0 Friday night in the challenge tournament finals, Burroughs didn’t leave his shoes in the middle of the mat, which the the universal sign that a wrestler is done competing.
But Burroughs is 35 and has said in the past that the end of his career is near, and considering he’ll be pushing 40 the next time the Olympics roll around, it seems like a good bet that he at least will never compete in the Olympics again.
Burroughs is respected globally as one of the best freestyle wrestlers to do it but over the past month, he’s become a villain to some Penn State wrestling fans. It started in late March when Burroughs had beef with a pair of PSU greats in Bo Nickal and Carter Starocci and continued in April with Burroughs and Starocci exchanging words on social media.
In the second session of the trials, the ending to Burroghes’ semifinal match with Mitchell Mesenbrink was chippy and led to Burroghes getting booed as he walked back through the tunnel.
Burroughs really frustrated with Mesenbrink, pushed his head into the ground after stoppage.
Straight Boos for Burroughs from the crowd after that move pic.twitter.com/Pu3l2YvGUc
— Zavier Gussett (@CallTheHuddle) April 19, 2024
When Burroughs lost to Nolf, a portion of fans cheered him, possibly knowing that this could be the end.
It is notable, that as Jordan was walking out, the section where the tunnel is almost entirely rose to their feet and cheered for him.
Then the entire scene changed.
— Christian Pyles (@CPyles8) April 20, 2024
But one fan took the chance to heckle him.
“Your career is over” the fan yelled repeatedly.
Jordan Burroughs yelled back.
“What have you done?” he said. “Hey, what have you done?”
Burroughs’ coach, Mark Manning, responded with a line of his own.
“Hey, have a couple more beers,” Manning said. “Classless.”
Watch the full exchange below, captured by Jake Rohm of DCNewsNow.
Jordan Burroughs walking off the mat for what looks like the final time in his illustrious career.
Classless act by a fan in attendance, yelling “career is over” at Burroughs.
Hell of a career by the most decorated wrestler in US history. #WrestlingTrials24 pic.twitter.com/VY4BXeMw3Z
— Jake Rohm (@jakerohm) April 20, 2024
