Babatunde Aiyegbusi gave up basketball for football late in the past decade so he could shove people without being called for fouls. Friday was the first day Aiyegbusi could push NFL players around.

The rookie tackle from Poland, who never played college football, took part in his first on-field workout for the Vikings to open a three-day rookie minicamp. He had plenty of fun.

“I’m excited,” Aiyegbusi said. “It’s nice to put the Vikings helmet on my head for the first time and smash with people. It wasn’t 100 percent, but I love to push people around. I love to get physical and I love this feeling.”

The 6-foot-9, 351-pound Aiyegbusi lined up at left tackle. He got his hands on plenty of defensive linemen, although it must be said he benefited because there were no referees on hand to call holding.

The Vikings signed Aiyegbusi in March after he had played in Polish and German leagues. Aiyegbusi, who turns 27 later this month, signed a rookie contract in March that will pay him $435,000 this season if he makes the team.

“It’s really a no-brainer at the end of the day,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. “You get a guy on the cheap that has a ton of athletic ability, big size. I said, ‘We’re looking for them in Canada or the Arena League, or Poland.’ ”

Aiyegbusi has become a media celebrity since his signing, having been featured on major sports websites and in national publications, including a story on the sports front of USA Today. He’s also had plenty of reporters calling from Poland, although he recently has had to cut back on interviews because it got to be too much.

“I’m trying to keep my focus on the team and not talk to them as much,” Aiyegbusi said. “I’m trying my best to help the team.”

Aiyegbusi, nicknamed “Babs,” filmed a skit last month in Los Angeles for “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” that pokes fun at his massive frame. It originally was to run last week before the NFL draft but got pushed back.

“They told me that Jimmy liked it and that it will be on, but we still don’t know when because they’ve had so many things going on,” Aiyegbusi said.

Aiyegbusi might fly to Los Angeles to appear on the show when the skit airs. But it’s not expected he would miss any spring workouts or any opportunities to push defensive linemen around.

Follow Chris Tomasson at twitter.com/christomasson.