Gridiron football skills don't translate so smoothly into the ancient Japanese art of sumo wrestling. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons faced off with a sumo wrestler during an international trip to Tokyo this week. The defensive standout's speed and agility didn't prove enough to overcome the strength of the wrestler, who dispatched him with considerable ease in their first bout. The wrestler -- who hasn't been publicly identified -- even mocked Parson's size, pretending to cradle a baby and referencing <a href="https://www.westernjournal.com/nfl-pushing-players-take-drugs-play-injury-dallas-cowboys-superstar-says-95-league/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Parsons'</a> height of 6'3 in another gesture. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Micah Parsons went 1v1 with a sumo wrestler 😳</p> This Tokyo trip is WILD. <a href="https://t.co/Fl2hkCHW9g">pic.twitter.com/Fl2hkCHW9g</a> — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1786918104200626383?">May 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was also present at the exhibition, and was amused at seeing one of the NFL's most powerful defensive players manhandled by a practitioner of the sumo art. In a twist, though, Parsons proved capable of driving the large wrestler out of the ring in their second go-round. Parsons went on to suggest that the exchange wouldn't be the last time he faced off against a sumo wrestler. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">One thing you won’t do is disrespect the lion and think I’m not finna lock in! <a href="https://t.co/4pZTiU1qm8">https://t.co/4pZTiU1qm8</a></p> — Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) <a href="https://twitter.com/MicahhParsons11/status/1786924135207387548?">May 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> One fan even suggested that the exchange could spur curiosity in sumo wrestling from NFL teams -- especially those looking for potential offensive linemen. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">The NFL should take notes and bring these sumo wrestlers in as OL.</p> Micah and these other Defensive Ends would get cooked. — B.B. Bundy (@BB_Bundy) <a href="https://twitter.com/BB_Bundy/status/1786918480123404550?">May 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> It's not clear if <a href="https://www.westernjournal.com/cj-stroud-becomes-first-texans-qb-win-offensive-rookie-year-gives-credit-jesus-historic-season/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stroud</a> was courageous (or foolhardy) enough to face off against the wrestlers. Stroud and Parsons took a photograph with a group of wrestlers at the venue. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cowboys?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cowboys</a> Micah Parsons threw the first pitch at a <a href="https://twitter.com/TokyoGiants?">@TokyoGiants</a> game and did Sumo Wrestling Training in Japan.</p> Parsons is living an entire life this offseason 🤟 <a href="https://t.co/iBPMsQKYN3">pic.twitter.com/iBPMsQKYN3</a> — Discovery✨ (@SquareM89) <a href="https://twitter.com/SquareM89/status/1786918464063426792?">May 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> The two NFL players also threw first pitches at a Tokyo Giants baseball game. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">🏈 x ⚾️</p> Micah Parsons and CJ Stroud tossed the first pitch in Tokyo! (Via: <a href="https://twitter.com/TokyoGiants?">@TokyoGiants</a>)<a href="https://t.co/n2o2XJCmD4">pic.twitter.com/n2o2XJCmD4</a> — Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/FoulTerritoryTV/status/1786819408851021887?">May 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Perhaps it's no surprise that the quarterback's throw ended up closer to the strike zone than the hard-hitting linebacker's. <hr /> This article appeared originally on <a href="https://www.westernjournal.com/">The Western Journal</a>.