Pedro Oliveira
Danny Trejo is a freaking legend. In response to Johnny Depp’s question from Once Upon a Time in Mexico the LA native replied with a resounding “I’m a Mexi-Can”. His career has certainly validated the answer. His filmography consists of approximately 250 movie and television roles. He has grown beyond glowing reviews in Rotten Tomatoes into the food business. To date, he has multiple eateries including Trejo’s Tacos, Trejo’s Cantina, and Trejo’s Coffee & Donuts and boasts a line of merch that includes everything from cookbooks to baby clothes. He also hangs out with Boba Fett.
Is there anything Trejo can’t do? Nope, which is why we’re wondering what he could have accomplished if he threw his sombrero into the sports arena. With his 78th birthday coming up (May 14th) we thought we’d honor “Machete” with a look at pro-sports that he could have killed it in. Boxing is a given, but what else? Let’s review!
Boxing and Other Professional Sports Hollywood Icon Danny Trejo Could Have Become a Champion In
Boxing
Trejo may have lost a boxing bout to Julia Roberts’ brother in Runaway Train back in 1985 but that was clearly fiction. In reality, Trejo in his prime (maybe even today) would destroy nearly anyone in the ring. He has been throwing gloves since he was 8 years old. After a series of criminal convictions Trejo graduated from the neighborhood gym to becoming a welterweight and lightweight boxing champion in every prison that he did time in.
If he could rule the roost in San Quentin, imagine what he could do to opponents in the MGM Grand? Alas, Danny Trejo’s boxing career never saw fruition. Once he was discovered by Hollywood in ’85 his profile as a character-actor rose by biblical proportions.
UFC / MMA
If Danny Trejo boxing is a given, MMA/UFC is a natural evolution. In fact, even at the young age of 78 he may have plans to enter the Octagon. Last summer, one of the greatest fighters in MMA history Georges St-Pierre gave Danny Trejo a private karate lesson which was caught on film. Dana White better take notice!
MLB Baseball
Unlike Jose Canseco, Trejo wouldn’t have needed to squeeze the juice to knock 462 balls over the fence. In fact, even Barry Bonds would have come in second to Trejo with his 762 MLB homers. Machete has been a baseball fan since he was a tot, and is a huge fan of the LA Dodgers. He once threw out the first pitch at Dodgers’ Stadium, but clearly his muscle would be better served with a bat in hand.
NASCAR
Danny Trejo is a gear-head. His impressive collection of cars recently landed him on Jay Leno’s Garage, so it’s by no means a stretch to imagine him on a NASCAR Cup Series Speedway near you. Earlier this year the legend served as the Honorary Starter at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana CA for the NASCAR Cup Series race. Trejo’s talents could also translate to the pit crew.
Three years ago a shirtless Trejo ran into traffic to help a mother and child who were trapped upside down in a rolled over SUV. Like we said, this guy is a freaking legend.
NFL Football
As the self-proclaimed “biggest Los Angeles Rams fan in the world” Danny Trejo is right at home with a pigskin in his hands. At peak physical condition the 5’6″ actor weighed in a 200-pounds of pure muscle, which means he could have filled cleats as a NFL running back (RB). He would have been one of the shortest RBs to play the game, but again – this is Trejo we’re talking about. The ultimate Mexi-Can.
