Caeleb Dressel, we know him, love him, and can’t get enough of his fast swimming. He’s like a rocket leaving the blocks and a torpedo under the water. He has multiple Olympic gold medals, dozens of world championship medals, world records, and way too many American records even to count. It is no wonder why he’s considered one of the best swimmers of all time.
Caeleb came from a swimming family. His father swam in college, and his three siblings also swam competitively. Caleb started swimming at the age of five but also dabbled in soccer, football, and track. Soon enough, his swimming skill rose above all the rest, and he decided to go headfirst into the sport in high school, and rest is history!
After winning five gold medals in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Dressel became the fifth American to win five gold medals in a single Olympics since 1970. He is also the first swimmer to win gold medals in the 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter freestyle, and 100-meter butterfly events in the same Olympics.
Meanings Behind Caeleb Dressel’s Tattoos
Caeleb Dressel’s tattoos are badass. He blames his brother for all his tattoos. Growing up, Caeleb always looked up to his elder brother. When his brother got a full sleeve tattoo, he saw how cool and how artful it was. So he copied him and went to the same artist as his brother.
Caeleb has seven tattoos on his body. He is in speedos for his profession, so he likes to get tattoos that reflect his personality. His left sleeve is covered with four tattoos, including an Alligator, a Bear, an Eagle, and an American flag on his left arm. Caeleb has the Olympic symbol tattooed on his right arm, consisting of five interlaced rings with five colors. Let’s jump into the meanings and stories behind these tattoos!
Caeleb Dressel’s Gator Tattoo
Caeleb grew up in a small town called Green cove springs in Florida. He also went to the University of Florida. Football was Caeleb’s first love before swimming. His university football team (Florida Gators) has an alligator for its logo, and Florida is also the home to a quarter of America’s alligator population. Caeleb also wanted to get something that represented water as he swims for a living. So it made perfect sense for him to get a gator tattoo. It was his first tattoo as well.
Caeleb is a big fan of traditional American tattoos. He got this beautifully colored gator tattoo on his left forearm, done in traditional style.
Caeleb Dressel’s Bear Tattoo
You guys can probably see that the theme of Caeleb’s whole sleeve is Florida. In an interview, Caeleb said he loves all the native animals in Florida, and Bears are his favorite animal. He feels that the bear is his spirit animal, and they represent his soul perfectly. The black bear on his upper arm looks very aggressive, just like him in the swimming pool. The bear tattoo is also done in Traditional style.
Bears are one of the most powerful animals. Bear tattoos also represent strength and courage.
Caeleb Dressel’s Eagle Tattoo
Caeleb has an eagle tattoo on his left shoulder that stretches to his chest. He got the eagle tattoo to complement the American flag tattoo on his inner forearm. Together these tattoos represent his love for his country.
Like his other tattoos, the eagle tattoo is also done in Traditional style by his favorite tattoo artist James Cumberland from Richmond, Virginia. Caeleb got all his tattoos done by James.
The eagle tattoos also represent focus and courage.
Caeleb Dressel’s American Flag Tattoo
Caeleb has an American flag tattoo on his inner left arm. For millions of Americans, the American flag has been a source of pride and inspiration. To honor your country, what could be better than getting an American flag tattoo? Caeleb Dressel is a true patriot.
The American flag tattoos represent perseverance and freedom.
Olympic Rings Tattoo
Competing in the Olympic Games is the ultimate dream for every athlete. Caeleb made some Olympic records that will be pretty hard to beat for the future swimmers. He got the colored Olympic Rings tattoo on his right forearm right after the Rio summer Olympics in 2016. The tattoos artist was none other than James Cumberland.
Traditional Dagger Tattoo
The latest addition to Caeleb’s tattoo collection is a Dagger tattoo on his left bicep surrounded by white magnolias. Dagger tattoos represent sacrifice and bravery.
Orange Blossoms and Magnolia Flower Tattoos
Caeleb loves being outside and nature. He loves anything that is native to Florida. He picked Orange blossoms and Magnolia flowers as fillers to complete his sleeve tattoo.
Leave a Reply