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Home > Listing Index > Athletes > William Perry (football player)

Athletes - William Perry

William "Refrigerator" Perry (born December 16, 1962 in Aiken, South Carolina) is a former professional football player.

Athletic career

Perry attended Clemson University and in 1985 was a first round draft pick for the Chicago Bears. He gained his unique nickname due to his considerable size—standing 6'2" (188 cm) tall and weighing as much as 370 lbs. (168 kg), his stature quickly brought to mind notions of a walking refrigerator.

Perry became famous for his excellent work as a defensive lineman. In addition, Perry was also used at the fullback position when his team was near the opponents goal line, either as a ball carrier or a lead blocker for running back Walter Payton
. During his rookie season, Perry rushed for 2 touchdowns and caught a pass for one. Perry was once used in a surprise play during a Pro Bowl game as offensive lineman. Perry even had the opportunity to run the ball during Super Bowl XX, as a nod to his popularity and his contributions to the team's success. The first time he got the ball in the game he was tackled for a 1-yard loss while attempting to throw his first NFL pass on a Halfback option play, but the second time he got the ball, he scored a touchdown. Curiously, future Hall of Famer Payton was denied an opportunity to score a touchdown during the game. Many have questioned coach Mike Ditka's decision to give this play to Perry, believing that Payton was more deserving of the chance to score. The Fridge, as Perry was affectionately called, went on to play for nine years in the NFL.

Perry retired after the 1994 season. In his 11 years as a pro, he played in 138 games, recording 29 sacks and 5 fumble recoveries, which he returned for 71 yards.

He played in number 72.

Beyond football

After retiring from football, Perry was involved in a few other entertainment endeavors, including the following:
  • Perry participated in a battle royal at WrestleMania 2 in Rosemont, Illinois for the WWF. This year, Perry will return to the Chicago area for his induction into the "Celebrity Wing" of the WWE Hall of Fame.
  • In 2002 he lost in the third round to 7'6" former NBA basketball player Manute Bol in a charity boxing match. Mr. Perry entered the match visibly above his NFL playing weight.
  • The Fridge is one of several real people to be immortalized as a 3 3/4 inch G.I. Joe action figure in 1986.
  • During his popular tenure with the Bears, Perry participated in the recording of two rap records, both in 1985, in addition to the team's very popular "Super Bowl Shuffle".
  • *Fellow Bear Walter Payton
    and Perry recorded an anti-drug, pro-peace rap tune entitled "Together" which was written by four Evanston, Illinois teens. It was re-released in 1999 with part of the profits going to the Walter Payton Foundation.
  • *Popular rap trio The Fat Boys recorded a twelve-inch single titled "Chillin' with the Refrigerator" released on Sutra Records.
  • Other songs mentioned The Fridge:
  • *A novelty hit, "Frig-O-Rator", was released in December 1985 on the Motown label by Roq-In' Zoo and featured sound bites of Bears game plays.
  • *In 1986, obscure Los Angeles-based hip hop group Hard Machine released the single "Refrigerator".
  • *He was defeated by Bob Sapp
    in a toughman boxing competition on FX.
Since retiring as a player he has founded his own construction company in his native South Carolina and made numerous public appearances.

Quote

"Even when I was little, I was big."

Sources



  • Chicago Sun-Times article "Sweetness in the words of old duet with Fridge", Monday 8 November 1999, page 97.
  • Fat Boys, "Chillin' with the Refrigerator", 12 inch single, Sutra SUD 040, 1985.
  • Roq-In' Zoo, "Frig-O-Rator", 12 inch single, Motown 4554MG, December 1985.
  • Hard Machine, "Refrigerator". 12 inch single, On The Spot NRS-112, 1986.

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Some related entries: Ken Hubbs | Mickey Morandini | Mark Lewin | Masaichi Kaneda | Paul Ellering | Brandy Alexander | William Donovan | Fred Schreyer | Jim Lonborg | Deborah Renshaw | Rashad Evans

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