Athletes - Ernie Ladd

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	Athletes - Ernie Ladd

"Big Cat" Ernie Ladd (born November 28th 1938) was an American college and professional football player and a professional wrestler.

Football Career

The American Football League's San Diego Chargers selected the Grambling State University standout with their 15th pick in the 1961 draft. At 6'9" and 315 pounds, Ladd was arguably the biggest and strongest man in professional football during his era: 52-inch chest, 39-inch waist, 20-inch biceps, 19-inch neck, 20-inch calf, and size 18D shoes. (According to different sources, the tallest player in NFL history was Morris Stroud (1970, Chiefs), at 6'10", or Richard Sligh (1967, Raiders), at 7'0". The heaviest player in history was Aaron Gibson, at 410 pounds.) Ernie Ladd played in three AFL championship games, helping the Chargers win the American Football League title in 1963 with fellow teammate Earl Faison, both members of the original Fearsome Foursome. Ladd spent the 1966 season playing for the Houston Oilers before moving, in 1967, to the Kansas City Chiefs. There, with Buck Buchanan, a former Grambling teammate, he filled out what was probably the biggest defensive tackle tandem in history, and won another AFL title. Both Ladd and Buchanan are members of the Grambling State University Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Boston Patriots’ Hall of Fame center Jon Morris said Ladd was so big, he blocked out the sun: "It was dark. I couldn’t see the linebackers. I couldn’t see the goalposts. It was like being locked in a closet." Ladd was an American Football League All-Star from 1962 through 1965.

Wrestling Career

Ladd started wrestling in 1961. As a publicity stunt, some wrestlers in the San Diego area challenged Ladd to a private wrestling workout. Before long, Ladd was a part-time competitor in Los Angeles, during football's off-season. Ladd became a huge draw in short order. Ladd became one of wrestling's most hated heels during the 1970's, as well as one of the first Black wrestlers to portray a heel character. In addition to riling crowds with his arrogant and colorful demeanor during interviews, Ladd also gained infamy through use of his controversial taped thumb, which Ladd claimed was from an old football injury. Often, when Ladd appeared to be in serious trouble during a match, he'd walk out of the arena and accept a countout loss. This practice has since become known as "pulling an Ernie Ladd" in some circles.

In 1968, Ladd debuted in the World Wide Wrestling Federation, where he would become a mainstay until 1980. Ladd was managed by The Grand Wizard of Wrestling for much of the 1970's, and provided WWWF Champions Bruno Sammartino, Pedro Morales and Bob Backlund some of the toughest challenges of their respective title reigns. Known for his immense size and power, it was a natural for Ladd to engage in feuds with other giants. His feud with André the Giant (who Ladd would refer to as "Andre the Dummy" during interviews) was one of the most talked-about of the decade.

After leaving the WWF, Ladd ventured to the Mid-South territory promoted by Bill Watts. While in the Mid-South area, Ladd feuded with Paul Orndorff, Ray Candy, Junkyard Dog and served as a manager to Afa & Sika, the Wild Samoans. Ladd also had a decent run as part of a tag team with "Bad" Leroy Brown in the early 1980's.

Ladd retired from wrestling in 1986. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1995.

Wrestling Championships/Accomplishments

Mid-South Wrestling

1-Time Mid-South North American Heavyweight Champion
4-Time NWA Tri-State North American Champion
2-Time Mid-South Louisiana Heavyweight Champion
2-Time Mid-South Tag Team Champion (with Leroy Brown)

World Class Championship Wrestling

1-Time WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
1-Time WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
1-Time WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion

Florida Championship Wrestling

1-Time Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion
1-Time Florida Heavyweight Champion

Other Titles

1-Time Georgia Tag Team Champion (with Ole Anderson
)
1-Time NWF Heavyweight Champion
1-Time NWF North American Champion
1-Time Central States Tag Team Champion (with Bruiser Brody
)
1-Time Tri-State Tag Team Champion (with Masked Assassin
)
1-Time WWA Heavyweight Champion
1-Time WWA Tag Team Champion (with Baron Von Raschke
)
2-Time NWA America's Heavyweight Champion

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