Title: Ernie Ladd Passes Away
Scrooge McSuck - March 11, 2007 08:36 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
According to the News Star out of Louisiana, American Football League and WWE Hall of Famer Ernie Ladd passed away at the age of 68 last evening. Ladd had been battling cancer since 2004 and had been working as a pastor in these last years.
Playing for Grambling under Eddie Robinson, Ladd; who was 6-9 and 315lbs was a 1960 first-team all-league defensive college lineman, which led to him being a first round draft pick (15th overall) to San Diego in the AFL, where he appeared in three of that now-defunct league's championship games, and won the title in 1963.
Ladd began wrestling on the side during his rookie season, and the "Big Cat" found that wrestling paid more, and would give up football for the ring. Ladd ran feuds with the 70's two biggest draws, Andre the Giant and Dusty Rhodes, and was considered a major part of the 1970's wrestling scene.
In the 2005 Ladd was informed he had 6-months to live but believed that his life was in the hands of a higher power and lived for two more years.
He is survived by his wife of over 45-years, Roslyn Ladd, four children and over a dozen grandchildren.
Ladd's accolades include:
-The American Football League Hall of Fame
-World Wrestling Entertainment's Hall of Fame
-The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
-The San Diego Hall of Champions
Our condolences to the family, friends and fans of the Big Cat Ernie Ladd. |
eStragand - March 11, 2007 08:38 PM (GMT)
Reports are coming in that "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd died over the weekend, at age 68. He had a lengthy career in the ring, plus a succesful career in the NFL.
Best link I could find:
Enrie Ladd Passes Away dynamite kido - March 11, 2007 09:06 PM (GMT)
Wow. Wrestling deaths are becoming a daily thing now.
RIP Big Cat
Mad Dog - March 11, 2007 09:35 PM (GMT)
This isn't a surprise. He had been fighting cancer for years and was originally told he had six months to live originally.
Real F'n Show - March 11, 2007 09:36 PM (GMT)
whitemilesdavis - March 12, 2007 12:11 PM (GMT)
I never even saw a tape of Ladd wrestle, but I remember reading about him in the apter mags when I was a kid. Has anyone here seen him?
dynamite kido - March 12, 2007 12:39 PM (GMT)
I've seen him a handful of times. Pretty good talker too.
He was the epitome of what a heel was in old school Southern wrestling. He was a well spoken, intelligent black man.
Scrooge McSuck - March 12, 2007 12:58 PM (GMT)
I've only seen promos of his, and I'm with DK. Really good talker that new how to rile up the crowd without being over-the-top.
SamoaRowe - March 12, 2007 05:05 PM (GMT)
ANOTHER WRESTLING DEATH!
This is getting really disheartening. At least the cause of this death can't be traced back to his wrestling career at all.
RIP Cat Man.
TehDoct0r - March 12, 2007 10:11 PM (GMT)
My dad loved that guy. I never really saw much of him.
RIP