- Burrows, 35, turned professional in 2011 and won gold at the same event 12 years ago.
- Nebraska wrestling head coach Mark Manning intervened and separated the pair.
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U.S. Olympic wrestling gold medalist Jordan Burrows clashed with a “classless” fan after suffering a heartbreaking loss in a trial for this summer's bout over the weekend.
Burrows, 35, lost to Penn State's Jason Nolf, a three-time NCAA national champion, in the 74-kilogram challenger finals Friday at the Bryce Jordan Center. This result effectively eliminates the veteran athlete's participation in the 2024 Olympics. Paris, and perhaps his wrestling career as well.
But before Burrows could ponder the possibility of retirement, fans in the audience heckled the 2012 London gold medalist as he got off the mat.
A viral video posted on social media by DC News Now's Jake Rome shows a fan repeatedly yelling “career is over” as Burrows descends the tunnel.
The wrestler stopped and responded to the fan, “Hey, what did you do?”
Nebraska wrestling head coach Mark Manning intervened, yelling back “classless” after suggesting the fan had had too much to drink.
Burrows and Manning then leave the scene.
Burroughs, a New Jersey native, ranks as one of the greatest American wrestlers in the history of the sport.
The six-time world champion won his only Olympic gold medal just one year after turning professional in 2011. He also won several gold medals at the Pan American Games.
He said this before the US trial ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. NJ.com: “It's sad because the end is near. It could be six days from now or it could be six months from now.
“I love what I do and I take comfort in the fact that I'm good at what I do. I've been able to do it at a high level for a long time. It's definitely going to be difficult. I've been in this world for a long time, through multiple changes, generations of greats, and I've seen a lot of people come and go in this sport.
“But I'm happy with what I've done, who I've become and where I left the sport. When the time comes, it's going to be an emotional moment, but I'm happy with what I've done and where I left the sport. It won't last long because I know I've given it everything I have. I don't have any great people.'
