From The Gridiron To The Pickleball Court: Drew Dalman’s New Favorite Offseason Sport

Source - Fox News

It’s always a treat when professional athletes from other sports step into the world of pickleball—and enjoy it just as much as the rest of us. The latest name to join the list? Drew Dalman, center for the Chicago Bears.

During a recent appearance on Sippin’ with Screeden, a light-hearted segment hosted by Bears sideline reporter Lauren Screeden, Dalman opened up about life beyond football. And when asked about his favorite sport outside the NFL, his response was immediate and enthusiastic: pickleball.

“That’s been kind of the flavor of the year the last year or two for me in the offseason,” Dalman shared. “I like messing around with everything that’s got a ball and a racquet or something like that. I think I’ll have fun playing it with friends.”

While the admission sparked laughter from Screeden, she followed up with a pointed question: was this casual pickleball… or was Dalman secretly unleashing his competitive edge?

“It usually starts as laughy, jokey fun,” he said. “And then it kind of gets more serious—people start sweating and all that. It’s fun. I’ve got a few buddies I like to play with. We’re all kind of matched on being competitive enough to have fun, but not so competitive that we’re going to spike a paddle or anything like that.”

Clearly, Dalman has found that sweet spot of social sport and lighthearted competition—something that pickleball seems to deliver better than most. And with his recent three-year contract signing with the Bears in March, the sport has likely become a go-to offseason outlet for fitness, camaraderie, and stress relief.

Screeden even joked about getting him into a local league—and honestly, we wouldn’t be surprised if Chicago’s MLP team, the Chicago Slice, reached out with some gear soon. After all, who wouldn’t want a professional athlete repping your team while dinking it out in the offseason?

Pickleball’s Pro Athlete Fanbase Keeps Growing

Drew Dalman is far from alone. As pickleball’s popularity continues to surge across the United States, more and more elite athletes—from tennis champions to NFL players—are stepping onto the court. The game’s accessibility, quick pace, and low barrier to entry make it the perfect crossover sport for pros looking to stay sharp and have a little fun.

And with ambassadors like Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, and current MLP stars like James Ignatowich, Vivienne David, and Callie Smith helping grow the game, it’s no surprise that pickleball’s reach is stretching beyond its core fanbase.

From backyards to pro stadiums, and now NFL training camps, one thing is certain: pickleball isn’t just a trend—it’s a movement.