JetCane Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Ernie Ladd dies at 68; wrestled after grid careerDaily News Wire Services Ernie "Big Cat" Ladd, who played on championship pro football teams before finding more lucrative success in pro wrestling, has died. He was 68. Ladd, a defensive tackle, played in the American Football League and is a member of the World Wrestling Federation Hall of Fame. He died Saturday night in Louisiana after a long bout with cancer. Ladd, who was almost 6-10 and weighed more than 300 pounds, was the 15th player taken in the 1961 AFL draft and played for the San Diego Chargers, Houston Oilers and Kansas City Chiefs. Born Nov. 28, 1938, in Rayville, La., but raised in Orange, Texas, he had battled cancer - first in his colon, then later in his stomach and bones - since 2004. When Ladd completed his eight-year pro career, he had played in 112 consecutive AFL games. He played for the Chiefs when they reached the Super Bowl in 1967 and '70. _________________ When I was a little kid collecting baseball cards, I got into football cards some, too. I remember Ernie, because when I read his height and weight on the back of the card, i couldnt believe human beings grew to be that large. RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernJet Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Ernie Ladd dies at 68; wrestled after grid careerDaily News Wire Services Ernie "Big Cat" Ladd, who played on championship pro football teams before finding more lucrative success in pro wrestling, has died. He was 68. Ladd, a defensive tackle, played in the American Football League and is a member of the World Wrestling Federation Hall of Fame. He died Saturday night in Louisiana after a long bout with cancer. Ladd, who was almost 6-10 and weighed more than 300 pounds, was the 15th player taken in the 1961 AFL draft and played for the San Diego Chargers, Houston Oilers and Kansas City Chiefs. Born Nov. 28, 1938, in Rayville, La., but raised in Orange, Texas, he had battled cancer - first in his colon, then later in his stomach and bones - since 2004. When Ladd completed his eight-year pro career, he had played in 112 consecutive AFL games. He played for the Chiefs when they reached the Super Bowl in 1967 and '70. _________________ When I was a little kid collecting baseball cards, I got into football cards some, too. I remember Ernie, because when I read his height and weight on the back of the card, i couldnt believe human beings grew to be that large. RIP I was on the Bills bench and saw Ernie play vs Bills in old War Memorial Stadium in early 60s. I loved the Old Chargers, Alworth, Ladd etc...Old Sid was a hell of a coach.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn306 Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 I saw him as a wrestler. A damn good one at that. He could make the crowd hate him with just a look. It been a bad year so far for wrestlers dying. Bam Bam Bigelow Mike Awesome Ernie Ladd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernJet Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 I saw him as a wrestler. A damn good one at that. He could make the crowd hate him with just a look. It been a bad year so far for wrestlers dying. Bam Bam Bigelow Mike Awesome Ernie Ladd. Hey I used to love Coco 'CocoButt' Brazil and Elio DePaulo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetCane Posted March 13, 2007 Author Share Posted March 13, 2007 I was on the Bills bench and saw Ernie play vs Bills in old War Memorial Stadium in early 60s. I loved the Old Chargers, Alworth, Ladd etc...Old Sid was a hell of a coach.. Dont forget John Hadl and Keith Lincoln. They had those sweet unis, and lots of offense. They were a fun team to watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Dont forget John Hadl and Keith Lincoln. They had those sweet unis, and lots of offense. They were a fun team to watch. just checked my lance alworth card & he's listed as a flanker.whens the last time you heard that term in the nfl. those were awesome years of the nfl. rip ernie. anyone know if chief white owl will attend the services? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetCane Posted March 13, 2007 Author Share Posted March 13, 2007 rip ernie. anyone know if chief white owl will attend the services? Not sure, but Cookie Gilchrist and Yahoo McDaniel should be in attendance. just checked my lance alworth card & he's listed as a flanker.whens the last time you heard that term in the nfl. those were awesome years of the nfl. I think they call it a wingman these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Troll Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 I actually met Ernie Ladd when I was about 13 or 14. He came and spoke at my school to all the honor roll kids (not me), but somehow my French teacher got him to speak privately to her 8th grade French class. He was a nice guy, but you could tell the years of punishment had him in constant pain. He walked very slowly, and hunched over. And I highly doubt he had much help from the NFL. RIP Big Cat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJ Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Not sure, but Cookie Gilchrist and Yahoo McDaniel should be in attendance. I think they call it a wingman these days. Showing my age - thats what I played. Lined up off the los. RIP Ernie - You were a tough SOB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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