Kansas City Chiefs' Noah Gray and Gehrig Dieter Highlight Pickleball's Advantages for Athletes at APP Fort Lauderdale Open
What's the Score?
NFL players Noah Gray and Gehrig Dieter of the Kansas City Chiefs made an appearance at the 2025 APP Fort Lauderdale Open, where they joined APP commentator Dominic Catalano to discuss the various benefits that professional athletes can derive from playing pickleball. Their conversation touched on aspects such as cross-sport training advantages, positive impacts on mental health, and the appeal of pickleball as an accessible off-season activity.
Hit it deeper!
At the 2025 APP Fort Lauderdale Open, which took place on April 5, 2025, Kansas City Chiefs players and Super Bowl champions Noah Gray and Gehrig Dieter engaged in a discussion with APP commentator Dominic Catalano. The central theme of their conversation was the multifaceted benefits of pickleball for professional athletes.
Gray and Dieter shared their perspectives on how incorporating pickleball into their training regimens can offer valuable cross-sport training advantages. They highlighted the unique movements, hand-eye coordination, and strategic thinking involved in pickleball, suggesting that these elements can complement the skills required in football and other sports.
Beyond the physical aspects, the NFL players also emphasized the positive impact of pickleball on mental health. They spoke about how the social and engaging nature of the sport provides a welcome break from the intense pressures of professional football, offering a fun and less demanding competitive outlet.
Furthermore, Gray and Dieter pointed out that pickleball’s accessibility makes it an ideal off-season activity for professional athletes. The relatively low-impact nature of the sport, combined with the ease of learning the basic rules, allows them to stay active and competitive without putting undue stress on their bodies during their time off.
The brief report notes that the Super Bowl champions explained how pickleball provides them with both a sense of competitive fulfilment and enjoyable leisure time. Their participation in the event and their positive remarks underscore the growing recognition of pickleball as a valuable activity for individuals across a wide range of athletic pursuits.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The involvement of prominent NFL players like Noah Gray and Gehrig Dieter in discussing the benefits of pickleball at the APP Fort Lauderdale Open is significant for the sport’s continued growth and mainstream appeal. Their endorsement highlights that pickleball is not just a recreational pastime but also a valuable activity for elite athletes seeking cross-training, mental well-being, and an enjoyable way to stay active during the offseason. This exposure can further enhance pickleball’s reputation and attract a wider audience, including more athletes from various disciplines, to the sport.