LarryD
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Wahoo McDaniel, the former pro football player who became one of pro wrestling's most flamboyant figures, has died of complications from renal failure and diabetes. He was 63.
McDaniel, who lost both of his kidneys about 41/2 years ago, died Thursday night at Cy-Fair Medical Clinic in Houston, his oldest daughter said. He'd been in failing health in recent years, often undergoing kidney dialysis.
McDaniel was on a waiting list to receive a kidney transplant.
He was born in Bernice, La., on June 19, 1938, and was a schoolboy football star at Midland (Texas) High School in the 1950s.
McDaniel moved on to the University of Oklahoma, where he lettered at linebacker from 1957-59. He holds the school record for the longest punt with a 91-yarder against Iowa State in 1958.
"He was a wild, crazy Indian," daughter Nicky Rowe said Friday. "He was bigger than life. He was just amazing."
The 5-foot-11, 280-pound McDaniel was selected by Los Angeles in the second round of the American Football League draft in 1960. He bounced around the AFL for much of his eight-year career, spending time with the Houston Oilers, Denver Broncos, New York Jets and, finally, the Miami Dolphins.
By the end of his football career, McDaniel had already established himself as a big name in minor-league wrestling circuits around the country. But as a member of the Jets, McDaniel began to headline wrestling events at Madison Square Garden with the help of the arena's owner, Sonny Werblin. Werblin also was involved in the ownership of the Jets.
McDaniel capitalized on the stardom from his gridiron days to make a smooth transition into full-time wrestling. He became one of the country's most popular and beloved wrestlers during the '60s, '70s and '80s.
"He was one of the first to make transition from football to wrestling," said Bob Ryder, who operates the wrestling Web site, 1wrestling.com. "When he found out he was making more money as a wrestler than a football player, he gave up football. He was such a big star."
Over the course of his 30-year wrestling career, McDaniel had memorable battles with wrestling stars such as "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Sgt. Slaughter. He won several titles before retiring in 1989.
"I wrestled all the top wrestlers in the world, and I traveled a lot," McDaniel said once. "I got to see a lot of places that I probably wouldn't have gotten to see."
He was also fiercely proud of his Chickasaw Indian heritage and always entered the ring with his trademark elaborate feather headdress.
Shortly after retiring, health problems limited McDaniel to one of his newfound passions - golf. He lived in Charlotte, N.C., until recently, but moved to Houston to live with his daughter and son-in-law as his health began to deteriorate.
"He also became a mentor to a lot of other wrestlers," Rowe said. "He was so famous, I just didn't realize it until now. We've got so many calls from people."
Rowe said the family plans to cremate McDaniel's body and scatter the ashes over a lake near Del Rio, which was once the favorite fishing spot for her father and grandfather. They also plan to hold a memorial service for McDaniel in Midland next week.
He is survived by two daughters and a son.
McDaniel, who lost both of his kidneys about 41/2 years ago, died Thursday night at Cy-Fair Medical Clinic in Houston, his oldest daughter said. He'd been in failing health in recent years, often undergoing kidney dialysis.
McDaniel was on a waiting list to receive a kidney transplant.
He was born in Bernice, La., on June 19, 1938, and was a schoolboy football star at Midland (Texas) High School in the 1950s.
McDaniel moved on to the University of Oklahoma, where he lettered at linebacker from 1957-59. He holds the school record for the longest punt with a 91-yarder against Iowa State in 1958.
"He was a wild, crazy Indian," daughter Nicky Rowe said Friday. "He was bigger than life. He was just amazing."
The 5-foot-11, 280-pound McDaniel was selected by Los Angeles in the second round of the American Football League draft in 1960. He bounced around the AFL for much of his eight-year career, spending time with the Houston Oilers, Denver Broncos, New York Jets and, finally, the Miami Dolphins.
By the end of his football career, McDaniel had already established himself as a big name in minor-league wrestling circuits around the country. But as a member of the Jets, McDaniel began to headline wrestling events at Madison Square Garden with the help of the arena's owner, Sonny Werblin. Werblin also was involved in the ownership of the Jets.
McDaniel capitalized on the stardom from his gridiron days to make a smooth transition into full-time wrestling. He became one of the country's most popular and beloved wrestlers during the '60s, '70s and '80s.
"He was one of the first to make transition from football to wrestling," said Bob Ryder, who operates the wrestling Web site, 1wrestling.com. "When he found out he was making more money as a wrestler than a football player, he gave up football. He was such a big star."
Over the course of his 30-year wrestling career, McDaniel had memorable battles with wrestling stars such as "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Sgt. Slaughter. He won several titles before retiring in 1989.
"I wrestled all the top wrestlers in the world, and I traveled a lot," McDaniel said once. "I got to see a lot of places that I probably wouldn't have gotten to see."
He was also fiercely proud of his Chickasaw Indian heritage and always entered the ring with his trademark elaborate feather headdress.
Shortly after retiring, health problems limited McDaniel to one of his newfound passions - golf. He lived in Charlotte, N.C., until recently, but moved to Houston to live with his daughter and son-in-law as his health began to deteriorate.
"He also became a mentor to a lot of other wrestlers," Rowe said. "He was so famous, I just didn't realize it until now. We've got so many calls from people."
Rowe said the family plans to cremate McDaniel's body and scatter the ashes over a lake near Del Rio, which was once the favorite fishing spot for her father and grandfather. They also plan to hold a memorial service for McDaniel in Midland next week.
He is survived by two daughters and a son.
