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Sep 14, 2026, 12:50 AM CUT
NFL Hall of Famer Backs Samson Dauda To Clinch 2026 Mr. Olympia, Bodybuilding World Reacts
A surprising take from NFL legend Shannon Sharpe has sent ripples through the bodybuilding community, sparking reactions across the fitness world. With the 2026 Mr. Olympia season building toward its climax, Sharpe's comments have fueled the conversation, and fans are quick to weigh in.
The football Hall of Famer has spent time in bodybuilding circles himself, training with coach Milos Sarcev, who also guides Samson Dauda. The 2026 Mr. Olympia is scheduled for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, where Dauda will look to reclaim the top spot in one of the most closely watched fields in recent years.
While hosting his show 'Nightcap,' Sharpe was questioned about who would win the 2026 Mr. Olympia, to which he was quick to reply.
"I would say, Samson," Sharpe responded to the question, as heard in the video uploaded by Muscle Discord on their Instagram. "Hopefully Samson bounces back. Everybody looks good while standing by themselves, but when you see Samson, and you see the top nine standing next to each other, you are like, okay, okay. That's really when you can assess it. That's the only way to assess it."
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The comments come as Dauda prepares for a 2026 Mr. Olympia field reshaped by late-breaking news. Former champion Hadi Choopan withdrew from the contest due to visa and travel complications, removing one of Dauda's biggest threats from the lineup.
Even so, Dauda still faces stiff competition from Derek Lunsford and a deep pool of top-tier physiques. With the event drawing closer, the buzz from insiders and outsiders alike continues to build anticipation over who will walk away with the Sandow trophy.
As word of Sharpe's pick spread, fans wasted no time sharing their own thoughts on the endorsement.
Bodybuilding community reacts to Shannon Sharpe’s endorsement
Under the video shared by Muscle Discord on their Instagram, several fans took to the comment section to share their thoughts about Sharpe’s take on who will win the Mr. Olympia 2026.
One fan pointed out Sharpe’s connection to the event to show that the three-time Super Bowl champion knew what he was talking about. They commented,
"Shannon goes to the Olympia every year he lives in Vegas"
While another fan backed Andrew Jacked, pointing to his rapid progress and continued improvement, writing,
"I pick Andrew. People forget he only start competing in 2021. Ifbb pro card in 2022. This is 5th year. Many improvements each time."
A fan gave Sharpe credit for his bodybuilding knowledge as they wrote,
"Shannon surprisingly knows a decent amount about bodybuilding i have to respect it."
One fan also tagged Samson Dauda in the video as they commented,
"@samson__dauda the Americans are rooting for you"
Another fan confidently backed Chinedu Obiekea, better known as Andrew Jacked, while celebrating the Nigeria’s growing presence in bodybuilding. They wrote,
"Nah, Chinedu will win it this year, either way, my Nigerians are dominating the sport"
With fan reactions split between loyalty, skepticism, and genuine debate, one thing is clear: the road to the 2026 Mr. Olympia crown is far from settled.
Written by
Chionia Libania Colaco