Chad Gable’s ethnicity and tribal ties offer representation for native Americans in Sports Entertainment.
Charles Edward Betts, professionally known as Chad Gable, has established himself as one of WWE’s most accomplished technical wrestlers.
Born on March 8, 1986, in Saint Michael, Minnesota, Gable brings a unique combination of Olympic-level amateur wrestling credentials and professional wrestling excellence to the squared circle.
His journey began long before WWE, as he dominated the amateur wrestling scene, capturing the Minnesota high school state championship in 2004 and eventually competing in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, where he represented the United States in Greco-Roman wrestling.
WWE signed Gable in late 2013, marking the beginning of a remarkable professional wrestling career that spans over a decade.
He quickly made his mark in NXT as part of the beloved tag team American Alpha alongside Jason Jordan, capturing the NXT Tag Team Championship.
The duo’s success continued when they moved to SmackDown, where they claimed the SmackDown Tag Team Championship.
Gable’s versatility shines through his multiple championship reigns across different brands – he holds the distinction of being only the second wrestler to capture the NXT, SmackDown, and Raw Tag Team Championships.
His technical prowess earned him additional championships when he teamed with Bobby Roode and later with Otis as part of Alpha Academy.
Currently, Gable leads the stable American Made on Raw while simultaneously portraying the masked character El Grande Americano, under which persona he recently captured his first singles championship – the WWE Speed Championship.
Chad Gable’s Ethnicity Ties Him to the Comanche Nation
Chad Gable proudly identifies as a member of the Comanche Nation, establishing his connection to Native American heritage through this significant tribal affiliation.
The Comanche Nation represents one of the most historically prominent Native American tribes, originally inhabiting the Great Plains region of the United States.
Gable’s membership in this nation connects him to a rich cultural legacy that spans centuries of American history.
Research indicates that Gable inherited his Comanche heritage through his parents, Peter Betts and Pamela Gustafson Betts.
While specific details about which parent carries the Comanche bloodline remain private, multiple sources confirm that his tribal connection stems from his family lineage.
This heritage has played a meaningful role in Gable’s educational journey, as he received scholarships from the Comanche Nation Scholarship Program to pursue his Master’s degree in Fine Arts with a focus on Media Design from Full Sail University, which he completed in October 2021.
Graduated… time to play Earthbound.
— Chad Gable (@WWEGable) October 29, 2021
Anyone else still play another 2?#ForTheAcademy pic.twitter.com/UB8d6UHEYh
The significance of Gable’s Native American identity extends beyond personal heritage into his professional achievements.
His Comanche ancestry places him among a select group of Native American professional wrestlers who have achieved mainstream success in sports entertainment.
This cultural background adds depth to his character and provides representation for Native American communities within WWE’s diverse roster.
The Comanche connection manifests not only in Gable’s personal identity but also in his educational opportunities and cultural awareness.
His ability to access tribal scholarship programs demonstrates the ongoing support systems within Native American communities for their members’ educational advancement.
This support enabled Gable to pursue higher education while maintaining his demanding WWE schedule, showcasing the practical benefits of tribal membership beyond cultural significance.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Chad Gable defeated Keitani Graham from the Federated States of Micronesia in the qualification round of the 2012 Olympics before being eliminated by Pablo Shorey of Cuba with a 3-0 loss.
- He is married to Kristi Oliver, whom he dated for nine years before their wedding on June 19, 2011, and they have three children together.
- The “Shorty G” character won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Worst Gimmick award in 2019, and Gable himself described it as the lowest point of his career in 2024.
